tracked leader, joined leader 4th, in 3rd when fell 13th
held up in rear, raced wide, not fluent 7th, left 3rd at 13th, hit 3 out, every chance last, hard ridden flat, just held
held up and jumped right, led 5th, mistake 10th, challenged last, all out
led to 5th, went 2nd at 12th, hit 4 out, every chance 2 out, weakened approaching last
held up, in touch, bumped 1st, in 4th when fell 8th
A small but competitive field goes to post for this beginners chase but the principals look to be No Refuge, Another Charmer and Stagecoach Diamond and the narrow vote is given to the last named. The selection has been running well without winning of late but was a fair second behind Akilak last time out, this sharper track should suit and he looks the value bet. No Refuge hails from the same yard as Akilak so they should know where they stand but he did not go on as expected over hurdles and will need to improve for the switch to fences if he is to score. Another Charmer is unexposed and could improve for this longer trip but he will be handicapped after this run and that is where his future may lie. Brave Rebellion is another that could go well as he was a fair hurdler and his yard are in form so he should be watched in the market. Of the remainder Ten Carat is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but he is very one-paced and with this in mind for the winner we return to Stagecoach Diamond.
Another Charmer (IRE) 40-1 (11-2) In touch, hit 9th, chased winner 11th, one pace when fell 2 out in race won by Sunday City (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Nov, 13 ran.
Brave Rebellion 5-1 (10-12) Chased leaders until weakened approaching 4 out, 5th of 8, 10l behind Akilak (11-1) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov chs (3) hvy in Nov.
No Refuge (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Held up, headway 11th, ridden to challenge 2 out, one pace, 5th of 9, 5l behind Mighty Man (11-7) at Ascot 3m 1f hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Dec '06.
Stagecoach Diamond 6-1 (11-1) Chased leader, led 8th, kept on, headed towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Akilak (11-1) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov chs (3) hvy in Nov.
Ten Carat 7-2 (11-0) Chased leaders, reminders 11th, soon outpaced, no impression from 2 out, 3rd of 15, 24l behind Carryduff (11-0) at Sedgefield 3m 3f mdn chs (4) gs in Dec.
Shouldhavehadthat (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Led, headed 10th, close up when fell at the 11th in race won by Over The Creek (11-0) at Hereford 3m 1f beg chs (4) gs in Dec, 12 ran.
