close up early, lost place from 10th, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
held up, blundered 7 out, never on terms
held up, blundered 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
chased leaders, blundered 9th, led 5 out, kept on from last
prominent, weakened from 4 out
with leader, led 6th, headed 10th, blundered 13th, soon weakened
held up, unseated rider 6th
led, headed 6th, chased leader, led again 10th, headed 5 out, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace from 2 out
held up, lost place from 10th, pulled up soon after
held up in mid-division, ridden approaching 11th, one pace from 4 out
held up towards rear, never dangerous, pulled up before 4 out, tailed off
chased leaders, lost place from 10th
This is a wide open handicap chase and we will take a chance and side with STAGECOACH DIAMOND to get the better of Dovers Hill, Wogan and Iconoclast. The selection might represent a bit of value here as he posted a good effort to chase home Bay Cherry on heavy ground at Market Rasen last month. He has yet to win over fences but he has gone close a number of times and he looks capable of running a big race off his current mark. Dovers Hill was a faller at Kempton on Boxing Day in a race where Wogan finished second. He looks capable of winning races over fences and the return to this longer trip will suit. Wogan is another who should be suited by this extra yardage as he was still going strongly at the finish behind Polyfast over 2m4f last time. Iconoclast hails from a yard in good form and it was an improved effort from him when he broke his duck over fences last time. There may be more to come and it would not be a surprise to see him trouble the judge, but in a race where plenty have chances we will nominate Stagecoach Diamond as the pick.
Dover's Hill 9-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, mistake 5th, led after 6th, 3 lengths clear when fell last, in a race won by Polyfast (10-12) at Kempton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec, 13 ran.
Cruchain (IRE) 25-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, hampered 10th, stayed on from 4 out, to dispute 3rd approaching last, no extra run-in, 4th of 14, 12l behind Hey Big Spender (11-12) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
Iconoclast (IRE) 5-1 (11-11) Held up in last trio, headway to chase leaders 6th, led 4 out, hit 3 out, cleared before 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Kempton 3m nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft beating Newbay Bob (10-8) by 4l, 8 ran.
Wogan 9-2 (11-1) Held up mid-division, headway 4 out, chased leaders after 2 out, left in 2nd at last, kept on well, 2nd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Polyfast (10-12) at Kempton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Pacha D'Oudairies (FR) 5-4fav (10-11) Prominent, went 2nd 8th, led narrowly approaching 4 out, headed 3 out, beaten after 2 out, 2nd of 10, 11l behind Surenaga (11-0) at Stratford 2m 7f beg chase (4) gf in Jun.
Our Hero (IRE) 3-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, left in lead 5th, ridden after 2 out, jumped left last, driven out, won at Uttoxeter 2m 6f beg chs (4) hvy in Nov beating Ernst Blofeld (11-2) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Kilkenny All Star (IRE) 7-2fav (11-3) Held up in touch, weakened from 4 out, 6th of 8, 29l behind Le Roi Rouge (11-3) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Dec.
Presenting Forever (IRE) 85-40 (11-0) Left in lead 1st, made rest, drew clear from 5 out, unchallenged, won at Sedgefield 3m 3f mdn chs (5) sft in Dec beating Smart Mistress (10-7) by well, 7 ran.
No Panic (IRE) 28-1 (11-1) In touch, driven and outpaced 3 out, ridden and stayed on to chase leading pair next, no impression, 3rd of 13, 6l behind Noun De La Thinte (10-5) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs.
Stagecoach Diamond 8-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, lost place approaching 11th, soon struggling, rallied after 4 out, led narrowly next, soon ridden, headed before last, hung right, kept on same pace flat, 2nd of 5, 3l behind Bay Cherry (11-4) at Market Rasen 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec.
Pantalaimon 14-1 (11-9) Prominent, chased leaders last, kept on flat, 3rd of 14, 3/4l behind Absolute Shambles (10-7) at Huntingdon 3m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Star Beat 3-1fav (10-7) Held up, in touch 15th, one pace 3 out, 4th of 10, 21l behind Youngstown (11-9) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.
