tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 3 out
mid-division, ridden after 2 out, weakened soon after
tracked leader, ridden and every chance approaching last, weakened
towards rear, hit 4th, headway 2 out, ridden and one pace approaching last
held up, headway 3 out, weakened 2 out
in touch and keen, led approaching last, ran on
mid-division, steady headway 2 out, ridden to chase leaders last, weakened flat
towards rear, ridden and weakening when mistake 2 out
towards rear, headway 2 out, ridden and one pace when mistake last
towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching last
mid-division, headway 2 out, ridden to chase leaders approaching last, took 2nd flat, kept on
in touch, ridden and every chance last, one pace flat
in touch, ridden after 2 out, one pace flat
mid-division, mistake 5th, ridden and weakened next
in touch, lost place 3 out, mistake 2 out
led, ridden when headed approaching last, weakened
always in rear
A tricky race with a big field full of possible dangers lurking off false marks; we will take a chance on GLOUCESTER ahead of Chantaco, Mickmacmagoole and The God Of Love. Still travelling well when brought down at the track last time, the selection's previous run behind Dee Ee Williams looks rock solid. Although yet to get off the mark over hurdles, his overall level of form reads well and he should be there or thereabouts. I Have Dreamed, Mickmacmagoole and Hue all need watching for market support, whilst any further rain would suit recent winner Stradbrook. The God Of Love ran well at the track last time at big odds and should not be underestimated here despite a 4lb rise in the weights, Dishdasha is consistent but probably high enough in the weights, whilst Chantaco's recent form reads well in the context of this race. Tricky stuff, but preference is for Gloucester.
Gods Token 9-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, blundered 5th, struggling when mistake 11th, weakened after next, tailed off and pulled up at the last in race won by Classic Fiddle (10-12) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Nov, 13 ran.
Chantaco (USA) 7-1 (11-2) Took keen hold, chased clear leader, closed up when hit 4 out, weakened 2 out, 10th of 14, 22l behind Art Professor (10-10) at Ascot 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Nov.
McGruders Cross (IRE) 40-1 (11-8) Led to 2nd, led 3rd to next, led 3 out to approaching 2 out, outpaced approaching last, rallied well run-in, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Hector's Choice (11-4) at Newbury 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
Dishdasha (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, always rear division, ridden and struggling 3 out, 11th of 14, 30l behind Art Professor (10-10) at Ascot 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Nov.
Good Spirit (FR) 28-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, outpaced after 4 out, weakened quickly and pulled up 3 out in race won by Serabad (11-9) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) sft in Nov, 9 ran.
Culcabock (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Held up, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, stayed on from last, 4th of 18, 11l behind Issaquah (9-7) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Stradbrook (IRE) 7-4fav (11-2) Held up, steady headway to track leading pair 3 out, chased leader and not fluent 2 out, led last, in command when idled towards finish, won at Lingfield 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Nov beating Jardin De Vienne (10-9) by 2l, 10 ran.
Hue 33-1 (11-0) Held up, ridden and weakened 3 out, 7th of 8, well behind Pettifour (11-4) at Wetherby 3m 1f hdl Grd 2 (1) gf in Nov.
Gloucester 33-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, smooth headway 3 out, travelling well behind leaders when brought down 2 out in race won by Sunnyhillboy (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Nov, 19 ran.
The God Of Love (USA) 50-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway to track leaders when hampered 2 out, soon ridden, went 3rd and hit last, kept on, 3rd of 19, 4l behind Sunnyhillboy (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
I Have Dreamed (IRE) 25-1 (10-2) Mid-division, headway when hit 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace from next, 6th of 15, 10l behind Sentry Duty (11-0) at Ascot 2m hcp hdl (2) gd in Nov.
Prideus (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Held up, challenged and hit 3 out, still every chance 2 out, chased winner after, weakened run-in, 4th of 9, 4l behind Hector's Choice (11-4) at Newbury 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
Moon Star (GER) 33-1 (10-7) Led until after 1st, chased leaders, mistake 3rd, weakened approaching 3 out, 8th of 14, 11l behind Art Professor (10-10) at Ascot 2m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Nov.
Mickmacmagoole (IRE) 15-8fav (11-9) Held up last, headway 7th, challenged 2 out, led soon after last, driven out, won at Taunton 2m 3f amt hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Nov beating Oenologue (10-10) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
Right Option (IRE) 7-2 (10-9) Mid-division, headway approaching 6th, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 13, 16l behind Wessex King (11-0) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Gleann An Sagart 14-1 (11-12) Led, headed before 5 out, dropped to 5th 3 out, no extra when fell at the last in race won by Magnet For Money (11-12) at Killarney 2m 1f beg chs gf in May, 13 ran.
Aspolan (GER) 22-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, headway after 7th, chasing leaders 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, tailed off, 6th of 7, well behind Mortimers Cross (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Nov.
