held up, headway to go 3 lengths 2nd 2 out, closed last, driven flat, led close home
led early, prominent, mistake 1st, ridden 4 out, no extra flat
soon led, headed 4 out, weakened last
tracked leader from 2nd, not fluent next, pushed along 6th, led 4 out, 3 lengths clear 2 out, driven and joined flat, headed close home
veered away start and lost many lengths, behind, closed 3rd, pushed along 7th, weakened 3 out
not always fluent, held up, 4th when mistake 3 out, never on terms, well held before next
Nonrunner
Tony Carroll and Nick Williams are responsible for more than half of the field in this. The former has Le Bacardy and Great Link in the line-up and the top weight may prove the best of his pair despite turning in a shocker last time at Ludlow. The latter runs GREYWELL BOY and Rio De Sivola and it's Sam Twiston-Davies' mount that gets the vote as he's a real mud-lover who would have gone very close at Haydock off this mark three weeks ago had he been a bit sharper at his fences. Upetito has only had four runs in the country and is getting closer. He rates more of a danger than the novice Keel Haul, who may just lack the experience for a race like this.
Upepito (FR) 5-1 (11-5) Held up in touch, steady headway before 4 out, led approaching next, headed 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on when strongly pressed for 2nd flat, no impression with winner, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Minella Definitely (11-2) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Greywell Boy 7-2 (11-3) Chased leaders, every chance when blundered 3 out, rallied under pressure approaching last, no extra closing stages, 3rd of 8, 5l behind Whispering Harry (10-9) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Dec.
Rio De Sivola (FR) 16-1 (10-7) Held up in last pair, steady headway approaching 9th, chased leaders 4 out, weakened next, 7th of 8, 45l behind Monetaire (10-9) at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Nov.
Keel Haul (IRE) 9-4fav (11-8) Tracked leaders, went 2nd from 3rd, ridden 3 out, not fluent next, soon no impression, 2nd of 5, 9l behind Key To The West (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Dec.
Great Link 33-1 (11-8) Led narrowlly to 4th, with leader, led again 6th, went left 11th, ridden and headed before 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 12l behind It's A Steal (11-4) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Dec.
Flying Light (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, blundered and lost place 10th, weakened 5 out, behind when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by It's A Steal (11-4) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Dec, 10 ran.
Le Bacardy (FR) 8-1 (11-9) Behind, struggling 8th, weakened and behind from 4 out, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Gardefort (10-12) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-140 (3) gs in Dec.
