tracked leaders, outpaced approaching 4 out, soon lost place, weakened 2 out
close up on outside, lost place 4 out, weakened 2 out
held up towards rear, headway 4 out, left 2nd next, every chance 2 out, ridden and kept on flat
led, driven and 1 length clear when fell 3 out
in rear, mistake 6th, soon lost touch
mid-division, headway 4 out, left in lead next, blundered last, ridden and kept on flat
mid-division, outpaced 4 out, ridden 2 out, rallied flat, took 2nd near finish
tracked leader, effort when hampered 3 out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure flat
Amarula Ridge gets the nod over Ground Breaker and Banchory Two, who should both be capable of making this a good test. Banchory Two failed to get home after making most of the running here twelve days ago and it will be no surprise to see Sam Thomas try a more patient approach with the Trevor Hemmings-owned gelding. However, the application of the blinkers for the first time does sound a few alarm bells and it may be prudent to gauge the reaction of the betting market before getting involved with him. Ground Breaker has shaped as if he has a race within him at some point and he should not be underestimated. He will appreciate a strong gallop and events may unfold to suit him. However, Amarula Ridge has a touch of class about him and considering that he was less than ten lengths away from a Cheltenham Festival success last season, he is fancied to make the most of this easier grade of competition.
Banchory Two (IRE) 9-2 (10-9) Led 1st, ridden and headed 3 out, one pace when hit next, no extra, 4th of 5, 15l behind Feel The Pride (11-10) at Doncaster 2m nov hcp chs (C) gd in Nov.
Ground Breaker 9-4 (10-13) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway 3 out, weakened after next, 5th of 10, 21l behind Constable Burton (10-11) at Perth 2m mdn hdl (E) gf in Jul.
Liberia (FR) 12-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 4 out, weakened after 2 out, 5th of 11, 17l behind Eskimo Pie (10-12) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (D) hvy.
Perfect Punch 12-1 (11-6) pulled up 2 out in race won by Theatre Knight (11-6) at Sedgefield 2m 5f mdn chs (E) gs in Nov, 14 ran.
Amarula Ridge (IRE) 2-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 4th, chased winner 3 out, soon ridden, weakened 2 out, 5th of 21, 24l behind Nous Voila (10-12) at Leicester 2m nov hdl (D) gs in Nov.
Dictator (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Towards rear, headway 6th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 11, 27l behind The Mick Weston (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (E) gs in Nov.
Moorlaw (IRE) 33-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders, ridden after 8th, 2 length down & disputing 3rd when fell 3 out in race won by Lord Lington (11-5) at Leicester 2m nov chs (D) gf in Nov, 5 ran.
Stoneyford Ben (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, led 10f out, ridden and headed over 2f out, chased winner to over 1f out, weakened rapidly, 9th of 12, 20l behind Swaythe (10-11) at Lingfield 2m nhf (H) hvy in Nov.
