mid-division, hit 2nd, badly hampered 6th, mistake 8th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
behind from 7th
hampered 6th, held up, some late progress, never a danger
chased leaders until hit 3rd, mistake 6th, soon behind
chased leader until after 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace from next
chased leaders, led 2 out, ridden and headed last, no extra
in touch, hit 9th, ridden and headway when hit 2 out, led last, ran on well
in touch, headway 3 out, effort next, edged right approaching last, kept on same pace
led and set good pace, hit 5th, ridden and headed 2 out, weakening when mistake last
always towards rear
held up, headway after 7th, ridden to dispute 4th 2 out, switched left approaching last, kept on same pace
mid-division, jumped left 4th, fell 6th
held up, headway approaching 4 out, ridden after 3 out, weakened next
BOOMSHAKALAKA is selected in this tricky handicap; the shortlist consists of Something Wells, Cedrus Libani and Master Medic. Nicky Henderson's record at the track is good and having a fine season so far, the hope is that Boomshakalaka could add another to the tally. The gelding has had his problems over fences this year, including when pulled up in good races at both Cheltenham and Punchestown. However he does have potential and made a pleasing enough return to action at Kempton when third to Laskari; fitter for that run he shouldn't be far away. Cedrus Libani was frustrating for Howard Johnson but won well on his hurdling debut for Evan Williams, however top-weight makes life tougher on this return to fences, whilst Pepsyrock has claims despite being out of the weights. Laoch Dubh may now be in the grip of the handicapper after a successful spell, The Wicketkeeper is poised to strike but his last run was below par, whilst the consistent pair of Its Crucial and Something Wells should be high on any shortlist. The hat-trick seeking Master Medic has a further 9lb rise in the weights for his recent Huntingdon success to contend with. Tricky stuff, but preference is for Boomshakalaka.
Cedrus Libani (IRE) 11-1 (11-12) Held up mid-division, headway after 4 out, led approaching 2 out, stayed on well flat, won at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Nov beating Royal Rationale (11-3) by 2l, 10 ran.
Sou'wester 20-1 (11-11) Always behind, 7th of 11, 47l behind Petit Robin (11-3) at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Nov.
King Louis (FR) 20-1 (11-12) Always behind, blundered 7th, struggling 10th, no chance when blundered 4 out, tailed off, 9th of 11, well behind Petit Robin (11-3) at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Nov.
Something Wells (FR) 7-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, led after 4 out, headed 2 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Medicinal (11-5) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Nov.
Dev (IRE) 8-1 (10-0) Led, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, weakening in 5th when hampered 2 out, 5th of 7, 49l behind Pablo Du Charmil (10-9) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs (2) sft in Nov.
Oneway (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) In touch, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened next, beaten when blundered 2 out, 5th of 11, 32l behind Petit Robin (11-3) at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Nov.
Master Medic (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, headway to go in touch after 4th, ridden to chase leader 2 out, led flat, ran on, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Nov beating Atouchbetweenacara (10-7) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Boomshakalaka (IRE) 13-8fav (11-9) Raced freely with leader, every chance 2 out, soon ridden, beaten when hit last, 3rd of 10, 12l behind Laskari (10-11) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Nov.
Laoch Dubh (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Led, headed after 4 out, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 14, 10l behind Medicinal (11-5) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Nov.
The Wicketkeeper (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Behind, hit 6th, well outpaced before 9th, tailed off, 8th of 11, well behind Petit Robin (11-3) at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Nov.
Its Crucial (IRE) 7-1 (10-7) Hit 1st and 2nd, in touch, headway to chase when blundered 4 out, no chance from 2 out, 2nd of 11, 13l behind Petit Robin (11-3) at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Nov.
Sharp Rigging (IRE) 9-1 (10-9) Prominent and keen, ridden after 4 out, weakening when fell 3 out in race won by Greenhope (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gd in Mar '06, 23 ran.
Pepsyrock (FR) 5-1jt-fav (10-3) Chased leaders, hit 13th, weakened 2 out, dismounted after line, 6th of 14, 23l behind Alright Now M'Lad (11-5) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov.
