made all, stayed on strongly from 2 out, ridden out
chased leaders until 9th, kept on to regain 3rd flat, no chance with leading pair
chased winner, every chance when pecked 3 out, ridden and held before next
held up, went 3rd 9th, no chance with leading pair from 11th, lost 3rd flat
Hobbs Hill may yet turn out to be of the highest class over fences and can take this grade 2 contest in his stride, with Barbers Shop and Battle Cry to fill the minors. Charlie Egerton's gelding has won all three of his chases to date, with the last two being over similar trips to this. His win at Newbury over Silverburn last time was most impressive and the assessor upped him to a mark of 150 after that. A repeat effort would suffice here, but he looks likely to find more improvement and can score. Barbers Shop is the most interesting opponent here. Her Majesty The Queen's gelding was runner up on soft ground at Newbury on his chasing debut, but stepped back up in trip, on good ground, and with that experience to his credit he can improve and could give the selection most to do. Battle Cry was thrashed by Hobbs Hill at Newbury and on that form has no chance of winning this, but on his best efforts he is entitled to get involved and looks next best, but Hobbs Hill is a confident choice.
Hobbs Hill 10-3 (11-8) Jumped well, made all, stayed on well from 4 out, won at Newbury 2m 4f nov chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Nov beating Silverburn (11-1) by 5l, 7 ran.
Keepthedreamalive 25-1 (11-6) Led, headed 3rd, behind from 8th, 7th of 8, 41l behind Kruguyrova (10-2) at Plumpton 2m 1f nov chs (3) sft.
Battlecry 25-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, effort 3 out, weakened before next, 5th of 7, 26l behind Hobbs Hill (11-8) at Newbury 2m 4f nov chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Nov.
Monzon (FR) 33-1 (10-0) Held up, blundered 10th, headway after 4 out, chased winner 3 out, weakened flat, 4th of 6, 10l behind Rajam (10-13) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs.
Barbers Shop 5-2 (11-0) Led, pressed from 2 out, driven and stayed on flat, headed towards finish, rallied, 2nd of 4, nk behind Big Buck's (10-8) at Newbury 2m 1f beg chs (3) gs.
