held up in rear, headway approaching 7th, went 2nd before 3 out, going well, led well before 2 out, clear last, stayed on well
mid-division, hampered and unseated rider 4th
in rear, not fluent when slightly hampered 4th, went poor 6th before 4 out, never dangerous
prominent to 5th, well behind after 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
held up in rear, not fluent 2nd, fell next
held up towards rear, headway approaching 5th, ridden after 6th, weakened 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
led until approaching 2nd, remained prominent, ridden 8th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
mid-division, headway approaching 3rd, ridden before 6th, weakened approaching 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
tracked leaders, led 3rd until after 5th, led 6th to 8th, weakened approaching 4 out
chased leaders to 4th, tailed off 6th, pulled up soon after
chased leaders, reminders approaching 6th, led 8th, headed well before 2 out, beaten before last
led approaching 2nd, headed next, led after 5th until 6th, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out
held up in rear, hit 1st, given reminders, jumped left 4th, headway when not fluent 7th, weakened approaching 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
in rear, mistake 2nd, blundered badly next, well behind after 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
Some rather attractive propositions here but many have to carry big weights. Narrow preference is for TEEMING RAIN who is a proven stayer and sits at the right end of the handicap. Jonjo O'Neill's gelding took a heavy fall last time out at Carlisle however the hope is that his confidence will still be intact. He signed off last season with a win over nearly four miles in soft ground at Exeter so we know that he stays well and he could still be fairly treated despite this 9lb loftier perch. Stolen Moments holds Nicto De Beauchene on their run behind That's Rhythm last time out, whilst the handicapper is giving Radetsky March and Sherwoods Folly a chance by dropping them in the weights; the latter has the cheek-pieces reapplied. Bob Bob Bobbin was a ridiculous price last time out in a race that won't have suited and he could be a big player if he races with a tad more enthusiasm in the first-time blinkers. Also trying headgear is Simon who has disappointed recently, a comment that also applies to Best Actor. Quickbeam represents a yard in good form and may be a stronger horse this year, whilst Oscar Bay, Lodge Lane and Le Beau Bai all come into the race in good nick and a win for any would be a popular result. Gentle Ranger showed tremendous resolution to fend off all challengers at Exeter last time out and a 6lb penalty may underestimate that performance, however we are happy to stick with the aptly-named Teeming Rain as the selection.
Le Beau Bai (FR) 10-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, every chance 2 out, weakened before last, 7th of 12, 12l behind Lie Forrit (9-12) at Cheltenham 3m 1f listed hcp hdl (1) sft in Nov.
Lodge Lane (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Held up, chased leaders approaching 7th, led 6 out, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 7, 8l behind Money Trix (11-10) at Carlisle 3m grad ch (2) sft in Nov.
Oscar Bay (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Led to 4th, dropped rear 6th, pushed along and outpaced 4 out, rallied approaching last, stayed on strongly flat to lead near finish, won at Stratford 2m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Oct beating Gaelic Flight (11-4) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Best Actor (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Close up, went 2nd 9th until weakened approaching 3 out, behind when pulled up 2 out, in a race won by Galant Nuit (10-0) at Cheltenham 3m 3f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) sft in Nov, 12 ran.
Quickbeam (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, hit 8th, mistakes, lost place 13th, weakened approaching next, 4th of 8, 33l behind Russian Around (10-12) at Lingfield 3m nov stks (3) gd in Mar.
Simon 12-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, reminders after 9th, soon lost place, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Shining Gale (11-12) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Nov, 11 ran.
Gentle Ranger (IRE) 14-1 (11-11) Led to 3rd, chased leader, led 4 out, hard driven flat, held on gamely, won at Exeter 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov beating Dancing Mist (10-11) by hd, 13 ran.
Stolen Moments (FR) 11-1 (11-4) Prominent, took close order 14th, led next, headed last, no extra, 2nd of 10, 3l behind That's Rhythm (11-8) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Nov.
Sherwoods Folly 9-1 (11-7) Led until 2nd, led again 5th, headed 7th, led again 8th, headed approaching 4 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up approaching 2 out, in a race won by Silver By Nature (11-0) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Nov, 14 ran.
Bob Bob Bobbin 3-1fav (10-5) In rear after mistake 1st, behind after, last of 9, well behind Laskari (11-1) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Nov.
Radetsky March (IRE) 50-1 (10-13) Led to 1st, remained prominent, hit 6th, weakened 4 out, 10th of 15, well behind Razor Royale (11-1) at Cheltenham 3m am hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Nov.
Nicto De Beauchene (FR) 9-2fav (11-2) Made most until headed 4 out, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 10, 13l behind That's Rhythm (11-8) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Nov.
Teeming Rain (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Towards rear, fell 10th, in a race won by Huka Lodge (10-8) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Nov, 8 ran.
Pass Me A Dime 20-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, hit 3rd, disputing 6th but not on terms when blundered and fell 7th, in a race won by Pavillon Bleu (10-8) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov, 12 ran.
