tracked leader, ridden to challenge 2 out, soon led, kept on well flat
led, not fluent 1st, mistake 2nd, ridden and pressed 2 out, soon headed, kept on and always held
tracked leaders in 3rd and in rear, blundered and unseated rider 8th
Mud Monkey seems sure to go well here as he travels with such determination and has become an assured jumper of fences. However, he was done for foot on the run-in last time and he may once again find one with too much toe in the shape of the progressive MIDNIGHT APPEAL. Alan King displayed superb judgement in placing his charge to win three successive handicap chases, each time the gelding giving the impression that there's more to come. He can complete the four-timer although Miss Sarenne remains of interest now that the ground has come in her favour after her winter lay-off.
Midnight Appeal 11-8fav (11-11) Tracked leaders, every chance 3 out, led before and jumped left next, soon hard driven, ran on well, won at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Mar beating Man From Highworth (11-5) by 1 1/4l, 7 ran.
Mud Monkey 10-3 (11-7) Led, ridden before 3 out, pressed last, headed run-in, kept on, 2nd of 5, 3/4l behind Double The Trouble (11-8) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Mar.
Miss Sarenne (FR) 5-1 (11-8) Held up in touch, steady headway 10th, chased leaders after until weakened 4 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Little George (11-5) at Newbury 2m 2f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov, 10 ran.
Federstar (GER) 20-1 (10-13) In touch on inside, hit 8th, fell 10th, in a race won by Meet The Critics (10-11) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs (0-125) (3) gs in Mar, 9 ran.
