held up, closer order 11th, mistake 12th, unseated rider next
in touch, tracked leader from 8th, led briefly 5 out, weakened next, very tired when refused 2 out
held up, lost touch 10th, plugged on
in touch, ridden and headway 10th, led and hit 4 out, driven out
led, headed 5 out, weakened after 3 out
tracked leaders, hit 8th, weakened 12th
held up towards rear, lost touch 10th, plugged on from 5 out to take 3rd line
in touch when fell heavy 4th
Irish Raptor can get back on track at the expense of Just For Men and Frosty Jak in a race in which few can be fancied. Irish Raptor lines up under a 7lb penalty after opening his account over fences at Wincanton 10 days ago, and although that form is nothing special, he should continue to progress this term so is taken to make up for his recent lapse at Wetherby. Nigel Twiston-Davies' seven-year-old was going as well as anything when unseating Bernie Wharfe at the 11th, and so as long as he treats these fences with respect, can quickly get back on track. Many will fancy Just For Men to do the business, but quite a few of Paul Nicholls' inmates have been in need of the run, and for that reason we are prepared to take him on. A bigger danger is likely to be Frosty Jak who jumped well when scoring at Uttoxeter and who will have no problem handling the conditions. The rest look up against it, and we shall happily side with Irish Raptor.
Irish Raptor (IRE) 7-4 (10-13) Held up, headway to track leaders 5th, not fluent 9th, going well when unseated rider at the 11th in race won by Bob's Buster (11-5) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Oct, 6 ran.
Just For Men (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Towards rear, stayed on to chase leading trio after 9th, no chance, 4th of 8, 39l behind Blackergreen (11-7) at Worcester 3m nov hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Treasulier (IRE) 4-1fav (11-5) Held up in mid-division, ridden and outpaced 17th, one pace after, 4th of 8, 28l behind Irish Raptor (11-4) at Wincanton 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Oct.
Frosty Jak 5-1jt-fav (11-3) Mid-division, mistake 5th, headway 11th, led 14th, clear approaching last, stayed on well, won at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft in Oct beating Supremely Red (10-2) by 9l, 12 ran.
Ironside (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Mid-division, lost place 9th, effort 15th, weakened 17th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Another Club Royal (11-4) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Apr, 12 ran.
Major Blue 28-1 (11-12) In rear when pulled up at the 15th in race won by Up The Pub (11-2) at Chepstow 3m 2f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs in Oct, 17 ran.
Tradingup (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Led to 2nd, blundered 3rd, slipped bend after 8th, weakened 12th, behind when pulled up at the 16th in race won by Irish Raptor (11-4) at Wincanton 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Oct, 8 ran.
Little Saltee (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) With leader, weakened quickly 5th, 14th of 15, 42l behind Shaka's Pearl (10-12) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (D) gs in Dec.
