always behind, jumped slowly 8th, pulled up 13th
held up towards rear, headway before 10th, chased leaders 4 out, effort when jumped slowly next, soon one pace
led until 13th, soon under pressure, weakened
in touch, lost place before 6th
mid-division, headway 11th, chased leaders next, ridden to lead after 3 out, headed before last, soon weakened
tracked leader, hit 12th, led next, headed after 2 out, stayed on well
held up in touch, ridden to challenge before 4 out, led before last, stayed on strongly
tracked leader, weakened before 4 out, pulled up next
held up when blundered, unseated rider 1st
held up in touch, effort when fell 4 out
behind, not fluent 3rd, pulled up after 6th
mid-division, under pressure 8th, weakened next
behind, headway 10th, not fluent next, chased leaders 4 out, soon outpaced, headway 2 out, kept on under pressure
The leading players in this competitive handicap chase are Captain Aubrey, Saunders Road, Nacadour, Far More Serious and Superrollercoaster and the vote goes to Far More Serious. The Longsdon yard is flying at present and this may just be a handicap snip, with the gelding making his debut over fences and for the stable from a mark 8lb below that which he contested his last hurdle in Ireland. Soft ground suits and this step up in trip can help him find the necessary improvement. Captain Aubrey was a wide margin Towcester winner last time and loves juice in the ground but it was a poor contest a even a 3lb rise might stop him. Saunders Road looks a serious threat after a battling Bangor win last time, if he handles the new trip, while Nacadour won on fast ground at Leicester and has to prove he handles cut. Superrollercoaster will have no problem with the ground and enjoyed a facile Folkestone success last time. This is tougher but with only 3lb more to shoulder he could go very close. However, preference is for Far More Serious.
The Real Deal (IRE) 18-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway when blundered 10th, lost touch after, 4th of 10, 39l behind Portland Bill (11-0) at Exeter 2m 7f beg chs (4) gs in Dec.
Nacadour (FR) Evensfav (11-2) In touch, mistake 11th, chased leader 14th, joined leader 3 out, driven to lead last, edged left under pressure flat, all out, won at Leicester 2m 7f mdn chs (4) gf in Dec beating Caged Tiger (11-2) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Charlies Future 10-1 (11-3) Led to 12th, mistake and lost place next, weakened 17th, 7th of 9, 29l behind Alfadora (9-11) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
Even More (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Mid-division, lost place 7th and pulled up at the 9th in race won by Nykel (11-10) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec, 12 ran.
Saunders Road (IRE) 3-1fav (11-12) Held up, headway after 3 out, ridden next, left in lead after last, driven out, won at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Dec beating Day Du Roy (10-11) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
Far More Serious (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Led, clear early, strongly pressed 2 out, mistake last, stayed on well run-in, won at Kilbeggan 2m 3f hdl gf in Jun beating Catskill (10-13) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Macmar (FR) 9-1 (10-12) Towards rear, headway after 8th, mistake next, soon weakened, 8th of 10, 29l behind Leading Authority (11-7) at Lingfield 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Dec.
Superrollercoaster 5-2 (11-6) Led to 4th, chasing leader when left in lead 13th, clear 4 out, unchallenged, won at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Dec beating Floreana (11-10) by a distance, 4 ran.
Double Law 25-1 (11-7) Held up, headway 3 out, chased winner last, no impression, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Cousin Nicky (11-7) at Newbury 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Nov '06.
First De La Brunie (FR) 8-1 (12-0) Led to 13; sn lost plce; t.o & pulled up in race won by Spring Grove (12-0) at Barbury Castle 3m ptp gd, 8 ran.
Captain Aubrey (IRE) 9-2 (11-1) Prominent early, in touch halfway, chased leaders 14th, led 3 out, soon clear, ran on well, won at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Nov beating Kiltimoney (9-7) by 14l, 15 ran.
Nagam (FR) 16-1 (10-0) Always behind, reminders 4th, tailed off after 11th, last of 9, well behind Alfadora (9-11) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
Deep Quest 33-1 (11-0) Held up, lost touch 5th, stayed on from 2 out, 2nd of 4, 24l behind Mister Quasimodo (11-0) at Exeter 2m 1f Grad Ch (2) gs in Dec.
