tracked leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, led next, clear flat, stayed on well
led, mistake 7th, not fluent and headed 3 out, stumbled badly on bend soon after, weakened approaching 2 out
tracked leader until 6th, mistake 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
tracked leaders, went 2nd 6th, led 3 out, not fluent and headed 2 out, stayed on same pace flat
held up, not fluent 5th, soon ridden and lost touch, pulled up after
not fluent and pecked 1st, held up, behind from 7th
tracked leaders, ridden after 6th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up, mistake 5th, not fluent next, headway 7th, mistake 3 out, weakened before 2 out
in rear, behind 6th, mistake when tailed off 2 out, pulled up before last
Subsequent Grand National hero Ballabriggs won a division of this race last year and another chaser reverting to hurdles takes his chance here in HOLMWOOD LEGEND. He was the surprise winner of a Grade 3 chase at the Festival in March last year, but has since gone close again back at Cheltenham off a 20lb higher mark than today's. With a conditional taking a further 7lb off his back, he gets the nod ahead of recent hurdle winner Harry Topper, who carries a penalty for his win at Uttoxeter last month. Monturgeon looked a bit laboured in the closing stages when second over a longer trip at Folkestone last time and he could figure along with Redbridge Rebel, who is having only his second start under Rules for Philip Hobbs after a fourth at Taunton last month.
Harry Topper 7-2 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 6th, led approaching 2 out where not fluent, stayed on flat, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f NH mdn hdl (5) sft in Dec beating Bar De Ligne (11-0) by 5l, 12 ran.
Holmwood Legend 33-1 (10-3) Led, mistake 2nd, headed approaching 4th, hit 9th, weakened 4 out, 16th of 20, well behind Great Endeavour (10-3) at Cheltenham 2m 4f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) gs in Nov.
Isleofhopendreams 33-1 (10-12) Chased leader, led 3rd, joined 7th, headed 4 out, ridden and no chance with winner before 2 out, 2nd of 13, 22l behind Ohio Gold (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Monturgeon (FR) 5-2 (11-0) Prominent, led 3rd, headed 7th, led again 2 out, headed approaching last, soon beaten, mistake last, 2nd of 15, 15l behind Buddy Bolero (11-0) at Folkestone 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Padre Eterno 100-1 (11-2) Always behind, tailed off, 17th of 20, well behind African Broadway (11-2) at Newbury 2m NH flat (5) gs in Dec '10.
Prime Location 7-2 (11-2) Chased leaders, under pressure over 2f out, weakened final furlong, 5th of 14, 3 1/2l behind Mister Newby (11-2) at Plumpton 2m 2f nhf (6) sft in Dec.
Redbridge Rebel 20-1 (10-7) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders approaching 2 out, soon ridden and no impression, 4th of 14, 14l behind Imperial Circus (10-12) at Taunton 3m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Yellow Printer 200-1 (10-7) Led to after 3rd, with leader, lost place 6th, behind from 3 out, tailed off, 11th of 14, well behind Salubrious (10-10) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Lucy's Legend (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, not always fluent, 8th approaching 6 out, no impression from 3 out, 15th of 17, 38l behind Rheinland (11-7) at Limerick 2m 4f mdn hdl gd in Jul.
Storm Alert 12-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, 9th of 12, 42l behind Decimus (11-2) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn NH flat (5) gf in Nov.
