mid-division, ridden 4 out, soon weakened
made all, clear after 2 out, comfortably
held up, headway 4 out, ridden 2 out, soon weakened
tracked winner, effort 2 out, soon one pace
held up in touch, ridden 4 out, soon beaten
held up, weakened 4 out
held up when fell 4th
held up mid-division, lost place 7th, soon beaten
tracked leaders, ridden 2 out, soon weakened
always behind
held up, never dangerous
Rookery Lad has plenty in his favour here and is taken to get the better of Fantastic Arts and Bonnet's Pieces. The selection is a course and distance winner and he will definitely be suited by this drop in trip after running a little disappointingly last time out. He will have no problem with today's ground conditions either and is taken to lead them home. Fantastic Arts was a big disappointment on his seasonal reappearance but he may have needed the run that day and he remains open to plenty of improvement so could be of interest if the market vibes are positive. Bonnet's Pieces was still in contention when falling at this track last time out and he should not be inconvenienced by today's drop in trip. Ground Breaker is from a shrewd yard and is certainly worth a look in the market, but for the winner we are happy to return to Rookery Lad.
Fantastic Arts (FR) 14-1 (11-12) Held up, headway 7th, with winner 9th, every chance 4 out, weakened next, 5th of 8, 22l behind Crimson Pirate (11-12) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp chs (4) sft.
Glengarra (IRE) 9-2 (10-2) Led until blundered 7th, blundered 8th and pulled up 4 out in race won by Magic Sky (11-2) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-125 (D) gf in Sept, 12 ran.
Ground Breaker 11-2 (10-11) Mid-division, blundered and unseated rider at the 10th in race won by King Barry (11-0) at Catterick 2m 3f mdn chs (F) gd in Dec, 16 ran.
Lord On The Run (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, not fluent 4th, stayed on from 3 out, hit 2 out and last, never troubled leaders, 8th of 17, 20l behind Pirate Flagship (11-2) at Newbury 2m nh mdn hdl (D) gd in Nov.
Rookery Lad 8-1 (11-12) Pressed leader to 5th, led 8th, mistake next, headed approaching 10th, led 4 out to next, chased winner to 2 out, no impression, 3rd of 7, 28l behind Barton Nic (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft.
Bel Ombre (FR) 20-1 (11-2) Close up, tracked leading pair 6th, went 3 lengths 2nd when blundered badly 3 out, not recover, 4th of 6, 37l behind Smart Cavalier (11-2) at Folkestone 2m mdn chs (4) sft.
Bonnet's Pieces 7-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, led 4th, blundered 11th, headed when fell 2 out in race won by New Perk (10-5) at Fakenham 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-100 (E) gd in Dec, 9 ran.
Bonnell (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, weakened 3 out, 9th of 11, 45l behind Polar Gunner (10-9) at Wetherby 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy.
Kercabellec (FR) 12-1 (10-4) Led, ridden, headed 3 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Magico (11-1) at Leicester 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd in Dec.
Interstice 16-1 (10-10) Behind, struggling approaching 6th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Moscow Gold (9-13) at Folkestone 2m nov hcp chs 0-90 (F) gd in Dec, 10 ran.
Tails I Win 25-1 (10-2) In touch, driven for headway 5 out to join leaders, weakened 2 out, 7th of 13, well behind Wages (11-2) at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft.
