mid-division, ridden from 13th, stayed on to chase leading pair
in touch, ridden and headway 12th, chasing leading pair when blundered 4 out, weakened next
soon prominent, led 6th, headed next, weakened 5 out
mid-division, ridden 12th, soon weakened
mid-division, mistakes, ridden 8th, soon beaten
mid-division, ridden 8th, kept on moderately
in touch, mistake 13th, weakened next
always in the rear, mistake 12th, pulled up next
in rear, tailed off after 11th
in touch, ridden to lead 5 out, headed next, weakened 2 out
mid-division, mistake 1st and dropped rear, behind from 6th, pulled up before 13th
tracked leaders, ridden and lost place 10th, weakened 13th
led, headed 5th, led again and mistake 8th, clear advantage 11th, headed briefly 14th, ridden 2 out, jumped right last and kept on
mid-division, slow jump 8th, weakened next, pulled up before 14th
mid to rear, slow jump 8th, soon ridden
in touch, weakened 10th, pulled up before 14th
Up The Pub sounds like a good idea but we will side with Southerndown who is still on a winning mark despite a 6lb rise for his latest win, with Gunship and Smeathe's Ridge two others with claims. The selection is now 14, but showed that he retains some ability with a gritty success at Uttoxeter on desperate ground in November. He has shown previously that good ground suits just as well, so he will handle the conditions however they develop and must have solid claims for his regular pilot. Smeathe's Ridge finished second at Folkestone last month and that looks fair form in the context of this race, however he looks high enough in the weights now. Tallow Bay never travels well during his races however he is back on a winning mark so could have place claims at a big price, whilst Gunship could now be on a decent mark but ultimately has shown little encouragement in his races so far so is opposed once again. This is a wide-open race so any nomination is tentative, however we will stick with Southerndown to go in again.
Mistress Nell 9-2fav (11-12) Held up, headway from 10th, went 2nd next, ridden approaching 3 out, led last, headed flat, kept on, no extra close home, 3rd of 10, 1/2l behind Strolling Vagabond (10-0) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Dec.
Up The Pub (IRE) 4-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, ridden 10th, weakened after 3 out, 4th of 11, 25l behind Florida Dream (11-7) at Warwick 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Dec.
Grenfell (IRE) 6-1 (10-4) Led until 9th, pressed leader, every chance when pecked last, no extra, 4th of 11, 2l behind Stars Delight (11-2) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jan.
Smeathe's Ridge 7-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, challenged 2 out, led soon after last, headed near finish, 2nd of 11, nk behind Lescer's Lad (11-0) at Folkestone 2m 5f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Jan.
Beauchamp Prince (IRE) 13-2 (10-9) Held up, in 6th and well held when fell at the 14th in race won by Florida Dream (11-7) at Warwick 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Dec, 11 ran.
Surefast 20-1 (9-12) Held up, not jump well, ridden from 12th, never a danger, 6th of 12, 29l behind Cinnamon Line (11-2) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.
Andrea Gale (IRE) 7-1 (10-1) Took keen hold, held up, headway approaching 2 out, switched right between last 2, staying on same pace when mistake last, 3rd of 7, 7l behind Blaze Ahead (10-6) at Towcester 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.
Tallow Bay (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Always behind, ridden 11th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Strolling Vagabond (10-12) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft in Jan, 11 ran.
Delaneys Triumph (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden and lost touch 10th, 5th of 9, 24l behind Schuh Shine (11-4) at Fontwell 3m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Southerndown (IRE) 15-2 (10-6) In touch, led 10th, ridden 2 out, ran on, won at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Nov beating Dr Mann (10-12) by 3l, 14 ran.
Sister Grace 20-1 (11-7) Behind, mistake 5th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Lescer's Lad (11-0) at Folkestone 2m 5f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Jan, 11 ran.
Kiltimoney (IRE) 8-1 (9-11) Led until blundered 2nd, never going well after, struggling when pulled up 2 out in race won by The Hardy Boy (10-9) at Plumpton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Jan, 7 ran.
Gunship (IRE) 11-2fav (10-6) Led, soon clear, ridden 3 out, blundered 2 out, soon beaten, 4th of 17, 26l behind Tank Buster (10-8) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Jan.
Declans Choice (IRE) 50-1 (10-0) Mid-division, pushed along 7th, behind from 13th, blundered and unseated rider 4 out in race won by Fisherman Jack (10-0) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy in Jan, 15 ran.
Blazing Batman 16-1 (9-9) In touch, not fluent 5th, ridden and struggling 3 out, never near leaders, 5th of 7, 17l behind Milton Des Bieffes (11-6) at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Jan.
Little Word 50-1 (10-1) Always in rear, lost touch 11th, behind when pulled up at the 12th in race won by Tank Buster (10-8) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Jan, 17 ran.
