led to 8th, chased leaders, ridden before last, kept on same pace
towards rear, fell 8th
chased leaders, weakened from 6 out
with leader, led 2 out, kept on well from last
towards rear, headway from 4 out, unseated rider 3 out
mid-division, headway 5 out, led before 3 out, headed 2 out, kept on and no impression on winner
held up towards rear, headway before 4 out to chase leaders, mistake last, kept on
tracked leaders, ridden before 2 out, weakened from last
in rear, headway before 4 out, ridden before last, kept on
mid-division, pushed along before 4 out, kept on one pace from 2 out
mid-division and keen, weakened from 6 out
held up in touch, led 8th, headed before 3 out, soon weakened
held up in touch, headway before 4 out to chase leaders, weakened after next
always behind, weakened from 7th, tailed off
chased leaders, pushed along before 9th, blundered 6 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
held up mid-division, headway before 9th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
Promise of decent ground has delivered some large-field action and fencing technique will be at a premium for these novice chasers as they tackle Town Moor. Last time winners Supreme Bob, Pandy Wells and Harleys Max are all respected once again and are preferred in that order but a chance is taken that THE MUMPER can finally realise his potential over fences. Alan King's lightly-raced 9-y-o was still in contention when capsizing on his Fontwell reappearance after a 20-month absence and it's interesting that connections are persevering with the gelding. Albatros De Guye and Theflyingportrait could also take a hand in a competitive opener.
Under The Phone (IRE) 6-1 (10-10) Prominent, challenged 2nd until blundered 7th, weakened before 4 out, went 4th from last, 4th of 11, 29l behind Bekkensfirth (11-0) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Harvey's Hope 16-1 (11-5) Towards rear, struggling when mistake 6th, never dangerous, 6th of 11, 33 3/4l behind Tanarpino (11-2) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Glacial Rock (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Prominent, mistake 10th, ridden to challenge after 3 out, weakened before last, 4th of 7, 18 1/2l behind Lord Wishes (11-8) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Native Robin (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Always in rear, 16th of 17, dist behind Canadian Diamond (11-12) at Taunton 2m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Generous Helpings (IRE) 9-1 (11-3) Held up in touch, outpaced when bumped 6th and again 8th, behind when unseated rider 4 out, at Lingfield 2m hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
The Mumper (IRE) 2-1fav (10-7) Chased leading pair, mistake 3rd, not fluent and lost 3rd 4 out, pushed along and looked struggling when fell next, at Fontwell 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Coozan George 5-2fav (11-12) Held up in rear, jumped left 1st, not fluent 5th or 6th, headway after 3 out, went 3rd from 2 out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 12, 10l behind Riddlestown (11-2) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Supreme Bob (IRE) 11-4fav (11-2) Mid-division, headway 3 out, went 2nd next, upsides last, driven to lead flat, held on, won at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp (4) hvy in Dec beating Flash Crash (11-11) by nk, 10 ran.
Theflyingportrait (IRE) 9-4 (11-12) Tracked leader from 3rd, led before 6th, headed last (usual 2 out), soon ridden, kept on same pace, no impression before omitted last, 2nd of 5, 8l behind Roxyfet (10-13) at Sedgefield 2m hcp (5) hvy in Dec.
Pandy Wells 12-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, led 12th, clear last, pushed out, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Guanciale (11-2) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
Inchcolm (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, lost place 6th, 10th of 14, dist behind Royal Vacation (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f (4) gs in Oct.
Passing Fiesta 9-1 (11-6) Led, mistake 1st, headed before 2nd, chased leaders, lost place before 4 out, behind when pulled up 2 out, at Chepstow 2m hcp (5) hvy in Nov.
Wish In A Well (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, tracked leaders 10th, went 3rd 4 out, outpaced after next, lost place before 2 out, plugged on to regain modest 3rd soon after last, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 8, 24 1/4l behind Merchant Of Milan (11-2) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Our Phylli Vera (IRE) 50-1 (10-3) Behind, soon detatched, never a factor, last of 7, dist behind Nautical Twilight (11-0) at Catterick 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Albatros De Guye (FR) 3-1 (10-4) Held up in last pair, mistake 7th, went modest 4th 3 out, no chance with leading trio, 4th of 7, dist behind Kings River (10-12) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Harleys Max 15-2 (10-4) Held up towards rear, headway 7 out, left 2nd and hampered 4 out, ridden 2 out, kept on to lead run-in, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Jan beating Asuncion (10-3) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
