led, headed before 3 out, weakened from 2 out
mid-division, weakened from 2 out
in rear, headway before 2 out, went 3rd before last, kept on same pace
close up, blundered 4 out, soon pushed along, weakened 3 out
chased leaders, led 3 out, headed before 2 out, ridden and weakened before last
held up towards rear, blundered 4 out, headway before 3 out, led before 2 out, held on well
held up behind and keen, weakened after 3 out
held up mid-division, headway before 2 out, went 2nd before last, kept on and held towards finish
Saint Charles showed promise when fourth at Ascot and, like Corner Creek, has won a point-to-point. Work Progress will improve on his fourth at Exeter while Rabunda is another for the future. OUR KAEMPFER has stronger bumper form than Simple Assignment and recent course winner Rainy City and can probably be forgiven his first run over hurdles at Ascot, where he faded on the run-in having pulled hard. He's been placed over 3m between the flags so the longer trip shouldn't be a problem and he'll be a threat to all if settling better today.
Corner Creek (IRE) 8-11fav (11-2) Held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 8, 13l behind Tambura (10-9) at Plumpton 2m 2f NH flat (6) sft in Dec.
North Country Boy 7-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, ridden before 2f out, kept on inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 8l behind Robinsson (11-0) at Southwell 2m NH flat (6) gs in Dec.
Our Kaempfer (IRE) 15-8 (10-12) Raced wide, took keen hold, chased leader, led approaching 3rd hit 4 out, headed after 3 out, ridden and no impression when lost 2nd between last two, weakened into 4th when blundered last, 4th of 8, 15l behind Jolly's Cracked It (10-12) at Ascot 2m nh nov hdl (3) gd in Nov.
Rabunda (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Led, ridden and headed entering final furlong, no chance with hard held winner, 2nd of 4, 2l behind Yanworth (11-7) at Newbury 2m NH flat (6) sft in Nov.
Rainy City (IRE) 4-6fav (10-11) With leader, led 3f out, quickened clear over 2f out, pushed out, very easily, won at Doncaster 2m cond NH flat (6) gs in Nov beating Magnimity (11-1) by 18l, 6 ran.
Saint Charles (FR) 11-4 (11-0) Took keen hold, chased leaders, pushed along after 3 out, one pace in 4th and no impression next, 4th of 13, 22l behind Arpege D'alene (11-0) at Ascot 2m 3f NH mdn hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Simple Assignment (IRE) 11-4 (11-9) Led until 5f out, chased leader, edging left from 4f out, chased winner over 3f out until ridden 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 4th of 8, 26l behind Thunder And Rain (10-9) at Chepstow 2m NH flat (6) gs in Dec.
Work In Progress (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, took keen hold, closed before omitted 2nd, 4th and one pace 2 out, no extra last, 4th of 18, 19l behind Robinsfirth (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) gs in Dec.
