held up in touch, hit 5th, weakened last
tracked winner, hit 2nd, ridden approaching 4 out, one pace from last
held up, reminders approaching 9th, some headway, weakened from next, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
held up, hit 8th, headway approaching 4 out, weakened quickly after 2 out, pulled up before last
held up in touch, weakened 5 out
made all, driven out
prominent, pushed along and lost place from 5th, tailed off from 5 out, pulled up before last
A good way to conclude proceedings with JUNIOR nominated to see off Bluegun and Meanus Dandy. Stamina and the ability to conserve energy by jumping fluently will be the key ingredients to success for these novices, and the selection had both of those in spades when hurdling, where he was a top-rated 143. He will be well prepared for this chasing debut, and if there are any doubts then they are over his yard's form. Bluegun stayed on well to claim second behind Synchronised at Market Rasen last month and he has conditions and trip to suit. He can come on for that run but still has at least 10lbs to find with the selection. Meanus Dandy has yet to achieve a rating and is unexposed over fences after just a couple of runs. Soft ground suits and the form of his last effort suggests that he is unlikely to be far away here. Richard's Sundance has got a lot to find and a bit to prove after failing to complete in two chases so far and mudlark Connak looks a better proposition as one who stays forever. He would be no surprise winner, but Junior appears to have the strongest claim here.
Bluegun (IRE) 9-4 (11-2) Tracked leaders, went 2nd from 3rd, ridden 3 out, stayed on to regain 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Synchronised (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 6f beg chs (4) sft in Nov.
Connak (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Tracking leaders after 4th, same position before 10th, 3rd flat, 3rd of 5, 4l behind Take The Breeze (11-5) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (2) hvy.
Fly Direct (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Chased leaders until ridden and weakened soon after 4 out, 10th of 11, 41l behind San Marino (10-5) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Junior 16-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, pushed along 6th, losing touch next, tailed off, 10th of 14, well behind Mikael D'haguenet (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl G1 (1) gs in Mar.
Meanus Dandy (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Led, headed 3 out, weakened quickly, 2nd of 10, 10l behind Khachaturian (11-2) at Kempton 3m beg chs (4) gs in Nov.
More The Merrier (IRE) 2-1fav (10-13) Close up, mistake 5 out, every chance last when not fluent, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Fortification (10-9) at Chepstow 3m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Nov.
Richard's Sundance (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Led, hung badly left on bend, tried to run out after 4th, pushed along approaching 4 out, narrow lead but about to be headed and driven when blundered badly and unseated rider last, in a race won by Bertie May (10-0) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Nov, 6 ran.
Wricksons Bridge (IRE) 28-1 (10-9) Reminders and led early, chased leader, driven approaching 3 out, weakened and mistake next, 5th of 7, 24l behind Watamu Bay (10-12) at Ffos Las 3m nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
