held up mid-division, weakened after 4 out
led, headed 2nd, weakened approaching 3 out
tracked leaders and keen, led 2nd, headed after 4 out, soon weakened, fell last
held up, headway to lead after 4 out, headed approaching last, no extra towards finish
tracked leaders, weakened 3 out
in touch, no impression 2 out
mid-division, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened next
tracked leader, led approaching last, driven out
behind, reminders 3rd, never dangerous
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, stayed on, took 2nd towards finish
chased leaders, weakened 3 out
held up, pushed along and quickly weakened 3rd, tailed off
chased leaders, no impression from 2 out
held up in rear, pushed along 4th, never dangerous
held up, ridden approaching 3 out, never dangerous
An interesting contest where DIAMOND BROOK is a tentative suggestion, while Mohayer and Keki Buku are among a number of others with claims. Hat-trick seeking Rathrockscourt has improved since the summer but is taken on due to concerns over this softer ground, while last-time scorer Pocket Dream will find this tougher than the seller he won at Hereford. Princess Flame is still 3lbs higher than her only handicap hurdle win but is likely to be competitive on this ground, while Cabinet Minister has clearly had a few problems and, while these colours have often been carried to success after a break with other horses, he does have a fair bit to prove. Mohayer is back on a decent mark and has trip and conditions in his favour, but even with the champion on board there are no guarantees after a three year winless drought. Keki Buku acts with plenty of cut and was favourite for a better race than this before unseating early at Cheltenham in October. With a clear round he would be a threat. Dreams Jewel goes well here but the ground is against him, and preference is for Diamond Brook. Nick Williams saddles the four-year-old Alderbrook gelding, who loves some juice in the ground and showed some smart form in the context of this when runner-up to Pepe Simo at Wincanton last month. He is still open to plenty more improvement, and the winner has since gone on to repeat that feat, so perhaps Diamond Brook can sparkle here.
Gaspara (FR) 7-1 (10-10) Prominent, jumped slowly 3rd, under pressure and lost place after 3 out, 7th of 9, 23l behind Tasheba (11-12) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (0-150) (1) hvy.
Cabinet Minister (IRE) 25-1 (11-8) Led, mistake and headed 4th, weakened approaching 3 out, 7th of 13, 41l behind Karabak (11-12) at Ascot 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (3) gs in Jan.
Rathrockscourt (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Raced keenly, chased leader after 2nd, hit 4th, led approaching 2 out, ridden out (no time taken), won at Stratford 2m NH nov hdl 4-6yo (3) gd in Oct beating Civil Servant (10-11) by 2 3/4l, 5 ran.
Keki Buku (FR) 9-2fav (10-11) Blundered and unseated rider 2nd, in a race won by Right Option (10-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gf in Oct, 14 ran.
Mohayer (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, raced keenly, jumped slowly 4th, ridden and struggling approaching 3 out, 12th of 15, 42l behind Mutual Friend (11-9) at Cheltenham 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gf in Oct.
Diamond Brook (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Held up in touch, hard ridden to challenge 2 out, slightly outpaced, stayed on strongly flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Pepe Simo (11-4) at Wincanton 2m NH nov hdl 4-6yo (3) gs in Nov.
Cantabilly (IRE) 4-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, headway, effort approaching 2 out, ridden, one pace approaching last, no impression with leading pair, 3rd of 7, 7l behind Special Occasion (11-10) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft.
Classic Dream (GER) 4-1 (10-4) Made all, clear approaching 2 out, stayed on well, won at Hereford 2m 1f sell (5) sft beating Pocket Too (10-12) by 6l, 8 ran.
Stage Acclaim (IRE) 20-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 8, 30l behind Lake Legend (11-12) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Nov.
Arctic Magic (IRE) 20-1 (11-9) Held up, not fluent 3rd, some headway approaching 2 out, soon ridden, one pace and no impression, 5th of 11, 13l behind Catch Bob (10-13) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Nov.
Princess Flame (GER) 11-8fav (10-12) Chased winner to 4th, remained in 3rd, ridden and lost touch 8th, left poor 3rd last, kept on into 2nd flat, 2nd of 5, 19l behind Double Hit (10-12) at Leicester 2m Mares Novice Chase (4yo+) (4) gf in Nov.
Mister Quasimodo 16-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway after 7th, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 15, 23l behind Cross Kennon (11-7) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy.
Dreams Jewel 2-1fav (10-3) Tracked leader, mistake 5th, led approaching 2 out, headed before next, no extra, 4th of 10, 8l behind Simply Blue (11-7) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Oct.
Surfboard (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Held up, hit 8th, headway from 4 out, no impression on leading pair approaching last, 3rd of 11, 10l behind Edmo Yewkay (10-4) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Jan '08.
Stagehand (IRE) 33-1 (10-2) Held up, chased leaders after 3 out, hit last, soon weakened, 4th of 8, 21l behind Lake Legend (11-12) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Nov.
