chased leaders, ridden to chase leading pair approaching 3 out, soon no impression
held up, weakening when blundered 8th
with leader, led 5th, blundered 9th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, 1 length down when hit last, one pace
always behind
prominent, ridden approaching 3 out, soon outpaced
mid-division, weakened approaching 8th
mid-division, weakened approaching 4 out, pulled up before next
held up towards rear and not fluent, lost place after 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
in rear, mistake and unseated rider 3rd
always behind, struggling from 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
Royal Hector showed progressive form for Martin Pipe over hurdles last term and has carried on the progression over fences for Jonjo O'Neill this season; however, a 3lb rise for a fortuitous success last time leaves the seven-year-old with more to do and a chance is taken with Almaydan who is preferred to Bleu Superbe. Admittedly the selection has not been at his best this term but Richard Lee's gelding has slipped to a very attractive mark and has ground conditions to suit. Palua resumed winning ways at Ludlow last time but faces no easy task giving weight away all round off his new mark, while Super Nomad could probably do with some help from the handicapper at present. Oso Magic is capable but disappointed last time and of more interest may be the old campaigner Bleu Superbe who has been more consistent than of usual lately. Almaydan holds solid claims on the pick of his form though and gets the vote in the hope that he can reproduce some of that today.
Palua 7-1 (11-10) Made all, jumped left from 6th, challenged last, ran on well, won at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd beating Jacks Craic (10-10) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Royal Hector (GER) 7-1 (11-12) In touch, tracked leader from 9th, ridden 3 out, held when left in lead last, ridden out flat, won at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd beating Big Bone (10-10) by 6l, 8 ran.
Bleu Superbe (FR) 9-2 (10-1) Tended to jump left, led, strongly pressed and jumped left last, kept on gamely run-in, caught last strides, 2nd of 6, nk behind Armaturk (11-12) at Lingfield 2m hcp chs (B) sft in Dec.
Almaydan 8-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, ridden 7th, weakened after 9th, 7th of 11, 19l behind Palua (11-10) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd.
Oso Magic 3-1fav (11-3) Tracked leaders, led after 4 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened last, 7th of 11, 31l behind Barton Nic (10-0) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy.
Turgeonev (FR) 6-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, led 4th, headed 5 out, soon weakened pulled up 5 out in race won by Sir Storm (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) sft in Dec, 13 ran.
Super Nomad 9-1 (11-1) Mid-division, mistake 5th, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, stayed on same pace, 5th of 13, 10l behind Kelrev (11-6) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (C) gs in Dec.
Nowator (POL) 28-1 (10-13) In touch, led approaching 2 out, ridden and headed last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 10l behind Barton Nic (10-0) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy.
Waterspray (AUS) 25-1 (10-0) Keen, in touch until weakened after 6th, tailed off, last of 11, well behind Jaunty Times (10-12) at Warwick 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) sft in Dec.
Terre de Java (FR) 12-1 (11-9) Mid-division until weakened after 6th, 16th of 18, 49l behind Qabas (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gf in May.
Log On Intersky (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Led, headed after 4th, weakened approaching 4 out, last of 7, 45l behind Lorient Express (11-0) at Doncaster 2m hcp chs 0-115 (D) gd in Dec.
