led, went right and hit 11th, headed and jumped right after, prominent, mistake 4 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace from next
prominent, went left and pecked 2nd, immediately pulled up, (dismounted)
held up, blundered 10th, headway 4 out to track leaders, led and not fluent 2 out, soon ridden, kept on well to assert close home
tracked leader, led 12th, narrowly headed 4 out, every chance when hit 2 out, no extra
took keen hold tracking leaders, went prominent 13th, led and pecked 4 out, ridden after next, narrowly headed 2 out, rallied and every chance flat, no extra close home
in touch, ridden when hit 3 out, soon beaten
held up but in touch, effort after 3 out, weakened approaching last
This is a good race, with Don't Push It selected ahead of Mr Pointment and Senorita Rumbalita. There was no fluke about Aztec Warrior's defeat of Garde Champetre at Folkestone last time and a good run is not ruled out. Similar comments apply to Best Profile following his Stratford win from Wild Is The Wind. However, having run Denman to three-parts of a length over course and distance last time, Don't Push It's form rates as stronger and he looks to be the one to beat. Heez A Dreamer's form is very solid and he is open to improvement, but Mr Pointment beat him a length and a quarter at Bangor in November and he too should be considered. As should Patsy Hall, but he won here yesterday and is unlikely to turn out again. Senorita Rumbalita also comes into it based on her impressive Wincanton win. It all adds up to a cracking good race, one in which the selection is Don't Push It.
Aztec Warrior (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Led to 4th, led 12th, in command after, stayed on well, won at Folkestone 2m 5f nov chs (3) gs in Nov beating Garde Champetre (11-6) by 5l, 5 ran.
Best Profile (IRE) 9-4 (10-12) With leader until led approaching 3rd, ridden approaching 2 out, clear last, ran on well, won at Stratford 2m 7f nov chs (3) gd in Oct beating Wild Is The Wind (11-2) by 7l, 8 ran.
Don't Push It (IRE) 10-3 (11-4) Held up in touch, headway to join leaders and slipped 3 out, chased winner next, every chance last, hung left, all out and no extra, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Denman (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov chs (2) gs in Nov.
Heez A Dreamer (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 6th, ridden 3 out, led 2 out, driven out, won at Uttoxeter 2m 6f beg chs (4) hvy in Nov beating L'Antartique (11-0) by a shd, 12 ran.
Mr Pointment (IRE) 6-5fav (11-0) Close up, jumped left and led 3rd, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on under pressure, won at Bangor 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Nov beating Heez A Dreamer (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 12 ran.
Predicament 200-1 (10-13) Always in rear, lost touch from 9th, 6th of 7, well behind Denman (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov chs (2) gs in Nov.
Senorita Rumbalita 5-4fav (11-4) Prominent, joined leader 12th, quicken on bit to lead approaching 3 out, ridden 2 out, driven clear last, easily, won at Wincanton 2m 5f mrs nov chs (4) gd in Nov beating Harringay (11-4) by 12l, 5 ran.
Patsy Hall (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, chased winner 13th, mistake 14th, just over 1 length down when fell 3 out in race won by Standin Obligation (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs (2) gd in Nov, 7 ran.
