Another in the popular veterans' chase series with JEPECK taken to continue an excellent season and notch a fourth success from five starts, He battled on very bravely the last day to land a big pot at Sandown in a veterans' final contest and has now been raised 7lb as a result. This rates a tough task off the higher mark but he's in such good form this term that he may prove good enough. Sametegal has returned from a very long absence to run two fine races in useful company and is a shortlist 'must' off his unchanged mark. He seems sure to get his head in front sooner or later while Perfect Candidate is another to note.
Joe Farrell (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, headway on outside chasing leaders 12th, outpaced 4 out, never dangerous after, 7th of 24, 17 1/4l behind De Rasher Counter (11-1) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (1) gs in Nov.
Sametegal (FR) 13-2 (11-8) Chased leaders until mistake 1st, off the pace in mid-division, headway 8th, chased leaders 10th, ridden in 3rd before 3 out, weakened run-in, 4th of 11, 1 3/4l behind Just A Sting (11-1) at Kempton 3m hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Missed Approach (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Very slowly away, behind, headway when not fluent 4th, led before 8th, mistake 12th, headed 17th, hampered next, beaten and one pace from last, 6th of 18, 22 1/4l behind Walk In The Mill (10-3) at Aintree 3m 2f hcp (1) sft in Dec.
King's Odyssey (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, not much room 3rd, not fluent 7th, plugged on from 4 out, went 4th flat, never dangerous, 4th of 9, 15 1/2l behind Nuts Well (11-10) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Jepeck (IRE) 3-1fav (11-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd approaching 8th, led before 2 out, ridden clear when hampered by loose horse before last, hung right and strongly pressed run-in, stayed on gamely, all out, won at Sandown 3m hcp (2) sft in Jan beating Regal Flow (10-9) by shd, 14 ran.
Burtons Well (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, closer at 9th, weakened 12th, tailed off 18th, pulled up before 2 out, at Sandown 3m hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Perfect Candidate (IRE) 4-1 (11-3) Led until 4th, chased winner, reminder after 13th and 14th, lost 2nd 4 out, no impression on winner from next, gamely took 2nd again after last, 2nd of 6, 9l behind Lord Du Mesnil (11-5) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Abolitionist (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Always behind, never a factor, 10th of 14, 25 1/4l behind Jepeck (11-0) at Sandown 3m hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Strong Pursuit (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Led and set strong pace, clear with rival, reduced lead 11th (water), reached for 14th and headed, lost 2nd and weakening when mistake 4 out, 6th of 10, 36 1/4l behind Copperhead (11-11) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Regal Flow 33-1 (11-0) Led and disputed, hit 11th, headed next, lost 2nd after 14th, weakened before 15th, behind when blundered next and pulled up, at Taunton 3m 4f (2) hvy in Jan.
Out Sam 16-1 (10-3) Rear of mid-division, in rear at halfway, under pressure 13th, no impression, 11th of 18, 37 3/4l behind Total Recall (11-4) at Gowran Park 3m 1f hcp Soft - Heavy in Jan.
