held up, not fluent 7th, not fluent 10th, never on terms
held up towards rear, headway 9th, every chance 4 out, took narrow 2nd from 3 out until just before last when mistake, not recover
mid-divison, headway 6th, weakened 10th
led to 3rd, prominent after, weakened approaching 5 out
mid-division, hampered 11th, headway when not fluent 5 out, no impression
held up, some headway approaching 5 out, no further progress
chased leaders, mistake 2nd, ridden 5 out, one pace and no impression when not fluent 3 out
prominent, close 3rd when fell 11th
held up, blundered and unseated rider 2nd
mid-division, headway 10th, blundered 5 out, stayed on well from last, took 2nd post
held up towards rear, jumped right and mistake 2nd, struggling from 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
chased leaders, led 11th, blundered 2 out, driven out
held up in mid-division, mistake 9th, weakened after 11th
held up towards rear, always behind
prominent, led 3rd to 11th, every chance 4 out, stayed on from 2 out until no extra towards finish
in touch, lost place 7th, jumped slowly 8th, soon in rear
A tough race to call here for punters with very little between many of the leading lights but the principasl look to be lSpike Jones. Nelson's Spice and Iris's Prince and the tentative nomination is given tio the last named. The selection won well last time out when beating Ballyanbutt and although having a penalty for that win he looks sure to be suited by the drop in trip and llooks the one to be on. Spike Jones rates the main danger as he has been in fair form of late but all his best efforts have conme on a much softer surface and he looks opposable on that basis. Nelson's Spice is another that could go well on his latest fifth behuind I'm So Lucky over hurdles he returns to fences off a fair mark and with his shrewd connections in form he should be watched in the market. Stoney Drove travlesd well but finds little off the bridle so can not be put forward with any confidence while Star Angler looks weighted up to his best and with this in mind for the winner we return to Iris's Prince.
Spike Jones (NZ) 7-1 (11-8) Towards rear, headway 8th, led approaching 3 out, soon in command, won at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft beating Orsus (11-4) by 7l, 10 ran.
Nelson's Spice (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Towards rear, headway after 6th, weakened 2 out, 5th of 16, 19l behind I'm So Lucky (11-1) at Ludlow 2m nov hdl (4) gs.
Goforthegap (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 8th, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Mark The Book (11-9) at Chepstow 3m nov hdl (4) hvy, 9 ran.
Stoney Drove (FR) 10-1 (10-11) Tracked leader, ridden and weakened 4 out, 5th of 11, 46l behind Le Rochelais (11-9) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Feb.
Lyon 33-1 (10-10) Held up, never dangerous, 11th of 16, 20l behind Ca Na Trona (11-4) at Ludlow 3m cnd hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Feb.
Star Angler (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Held up, mid-division when blundered 13th, ridden 5 out, in 4th and soon held, 4th of 9, 45l behind Finzi (11-7) at Chepstow 3m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (4) hvy.
Ackhurst (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, soon beaten, 3rd of 5, 41l behind Heez A Dreamer (11-12) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (3) hvy in Feb.
Clock House (IRE) 11-2jt-fav (11-0) Chased leaders, not much room 2nd, lost place 4th, ridden and behind from 7th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Keen Warrior (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Feb, 16 ran.
Vanishing Dancer (SWI) 13-2 (10-8) Chased leaders, hit 7th, blundered 12th, mistake next, struggling under pressure after 4 out, 5th of 6, well behind Durlston Bay (10-10) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (D) gs in Mar '05.
Iris's Prince 13-2 (11-2) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders 3 out, challenged last, led soon after, driven out flat, won at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs in Feb beating Ballyaahbutt (9-9) by 2l, 16 ran.
Tuesday Club (IRE) 66-1 (11-2) Bumped 1st, always towards rear, 5th of 13, 34l behind Livingonaknifedge (11-7) at Towcester 2m nov hdl (3) sft in Feb '06.
Mighty Moose (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Mid-division, hit 5th, dropped rear, headway 11th, mistake next and 4 out, ridden to lead 3 out, narrow advantage when mistake last, weakened, 4th of 12, 14l behind Tradingup (10-9) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Feb.
Nautic (FR) 20-1 (10-11) Tracked leader, weakened quickly 10th and pulled up at the 11th in race won by Milan Deux Mille (11-6) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Jan, 10 ran.
Montenda 8-1 (10-7) Took keen hold, prominent, every chance when mistake and stumbled badly 3 out, weakened, 8th of 16, well behind Celtic Major (11-7) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Jan.
South Sands (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Mid-division, ridden, weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 11, 31l behind Cusp (10-9) at Plumpton 2m 5f mrs hcp hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
Rustic John 40-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, driven to challenge before 2 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 5, well behind Thedreamstillalive (11-2) at Leicester 2m 4f nov chs (4) hvy.
