led to approaching 2nd, prominent, ridden after 11th, kept on well to go 2nd last, no chance with winner
mid-division, blundered 2nd, headway 8th, ridden 9th, weakened 4 out
prominent, ridden approaching 7th, soon weakened, pulled up before 4 out
held up in mid-division, headway after 9th, ridden and chased leaders approaching 4 out, kept on from 3 out
refused to race, took no part
held up last, mistake and weakened 8th, pulled up before 4 out
promient, led after 2nd to 6th, led 8th, ridden clear 3 out, eased flat
chased leader, led 6th to 8th, every chance approaching 4 out, kept on same pace from 2 out
held up in mid-division, ridden 8th, pulled up before 4 out
held up towards rear, lost place approaching 8th, weakened after 11th
The in-form Frosty Jack is selected as the one to be on, while Zimbabwe can give him the most to think about. Chopneyev, Young Lorcan and Like A Bee are expected to make up the main body of rest of the opposition. Like A Bee has fair form to his name from his time in Ireland and acts on testing ground. He had a good each-way record for Christy Roche and holds a similar chance again today. Young Lorcan is another that is consistent at this level and has a claims on the pick of his efforts. He doesn't appear to be particularly well treated back over fences though and he needs everything to go his way. Chopneyev, on the other hand, has scope to improve in comparison to his hurdles rating. He handles the ground and is worth bearing in mind if the odds are fair. Zimbabwe will help to push out the prices a few of the rest in the betting market, as he has won his last two starts in fine style. His revised mark leaves him with a stiff test though and he is vulnerable to a more determined type. Which is exactly what he will face in the shape of Frosty Jack, who has stack s of scope for improvement and has been found a good opening to try and extend his winning run to four on the bounce.
Charlies Future 3-1 (11-6) Prominent, mistake 14th and 15th, ridden 4 out, weakened 3 out, last of 6, 17l behind Rosses Point (10-5) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Nov.
Young Lorcan 5-2 (10-7) Held up mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, led approaching and hit 3 out, headed run-in, no extra, 2nd of 11, 5l behind Negus de Beaumont (11-12) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Dec.
Frosty Jak 13-8fav (11-6) In touch, left in lead 9th, briefly headed after 3 out, ran on well, won at Fakenham 3m nov chs (4) gs in Dec beating Lord Of The Road (11-6) by 2 1/2l, 6 ran.
Like A Bee (IRE) 5-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 7th, ridden 4 out, soon every chance, no extra before last, 3rd of 8, 9l behind Zanzibar Boy (10-7) at Exeter 2m 7f amt hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Major Benefit (IRE) 50-1 (10-13) Headway 9th, weakened 4 out and pulled up 3 out in race won by Kilbeggan Blade (11-7) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Dec, 14 ran.
The Howardian (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Mid-division until 5th, tailed off from 3 out, 15th of 18, well behind Parkinson (10-8) at Exeter 2m 6f amt hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Dec.
Zimbabwe (FR) 2-1fav (9-11) Tracked leader, led 7th, headed briefly 9th, headed 3 out, led 2 out, ran on, won at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Dec beating Blunham Hill (11-4) by 7l, 8 ran.
Chopneyev (FR) 9-4fav (11-5) Raced keenly, led after 1st, not fluent 6th, blundered 8th, ridden after 3 out, headed before last, stayed on flat, 2nd of 13, 1 1/2l behind Solid As A Rock (10-7) at Towcester 3m chs 0-90 (5) sft in Dec.
Orsus (FR) 16-1 (10-10) Held up in touch until weakened 5 out, 9th of 12, 29l behind Obelix De Longechaux (10-8) at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.
Surefast 33-1 (9-10) In touch, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, kept on one pace flat, 2nd of 11, 5l behind Ironside (10-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.
