led to 2nd, chased leader until ridden approaching 4 out, kept on same pace
mid-division, ridden 4 out, soon weakened
always prominent, ridden 4 out, no chance with leaders
led after 4th to after 5th, chased leader, ridden, weakened approaching 2 out
towards rear, ridden, lost touch approaching 8th, tailed off
prominent, ridden, chased leaders 4 out, kept on same pace 3 out
mid-division, ridden, effort approaching 4 out, one pace
held up towards rear, ridden, headway approaching 4 out, weakened 3 out
prominent until mistake and unseated rider 7th
towards rear, lost touch after 7th, pulled up before 11th
led 2nd to approaching 4 out, led after 5th, ridden 4 out, headed 2 out, no extra
mid-division, headway 10th, chased leader approaching 4 out, ridden, disputed lead 4 out and 3 out, led 2 out, driven out
A decent novices' chase here with Back On Line and Colorado Pearl leading lights adfter winning last time, while Harringay and Helen Wood also take the eye, and the vote goes to Back On Line. Venetia Williams' charge was a Uttoxeter winner last time and carries a penalty for that success, but looks the type to go a fair bit further over fences and can find enough improvement to defy the extra burden and score over a trip that is fine. Colorado Pearl is another penalised for winning, in his case at Fakenham, last time. Again, the return to this trip should not be a problem and as one who acts with cut underfoot he can go well. Harringay has been finding one too good just lately and just seems to lack a turn of foot, and that might once more find him out. Bonchester Bridge is an interesting recruit to chasing but has a bit to find at these weights, while Helen Wood may be the big danger after a promising run at Warwick earlier in the month and she turns out on ground that suits and with all the weight allowances. However, Back On Line looks one to keep on the right side of.
Back On Line (IRE) 3-1 (10-6) Held up, headway 7th, hit 4 out, challenged 2 out, led last, stayed on under pressure flat, won at Uttoxeter 2m 6f beg chs (4) gs in Nov beating Firth Of Forth (11-2) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
Colorado Pearl (IRE) 11-10fav (10-8) Jumped well, chased leader, led going well 2 out, shaken up flat, readily, won at Fakenham 3m beg chs (4) gs beating Present Oriented (10-10) by 1/2l, 4 ran.
Bonchester Bridge 2-1fav (11-4) Took keen hold, chased leaders 3rd, driven between last 2, one pace, 3rd of 7, 5l behind Sovietica (11-5) at Folkestone 2m 1f mrs hcp hdl (3) sft in Nov.
Elbdoubleu 16-1 (11-2) In rear, ridden and struggling 8th, tailed off, 13th of 17, well behind Autograph (11-5) at Worcester 3m mrs hcp hdl (4) gd in May.
Fairly High (IRE) 100-1 (10-0) Behind from 9th, tailed off when pulled up at the 10th in race won by River Indus (10-6) at Exeter 2m 7f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft, 13 ran.
Harringay 9-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, hit 4 out, lost place 3 out, rallied flat, always held, 2nd of 6, 3l behind Rajam (10-13) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs.
High Life 8-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, hit 4 out, never in contention, 7th of 13, 16l behind Kempley Green (11-10) at Kempton 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Nov.
Lady Racquet (IRE) 6-4 (10-9) In touch, ridden to chase leading pair approaching 3 out, no further impression, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Which Pocket (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Mar.
Lets Get Busy (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Mid-division, hit 5th, soon behind, 6th of 16, well behind Ben's Turn (10-10) at Warwick 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (D) sft in Dec '05.
Miss Doublet 4-1 (11-0) Led, headed 11th, regained lead next, headed 3 out, soon beaten, 3rd of 5, 25l behind Chico Time (10-9) at Folkestone 3m 1f mrs beg chs (4) gs.
Strawberry (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Towards rear, jumped left 1st, closer order 4th, never on terms, 5th of 12, 25l behind Over The Creek (11-0) at Hereford 3m 1f beg chs (4) gs.
Helen Wood 6-1 (9-12) Held up, headway 6th, chased winner after 3 out, not fluent next, ran on well towards finish, 2nd of 9, nk behind Benetwood (11-0) at Warwick 2m beg chs (4) gs.
