ran in snatches, held up, headway to track leader 13th, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace
close up, lost place 7th, mistake 9th, behind and pulled up before 13th
held up in rear, mistake 2nd and 7th, ridden and headway 3 out, soon one pace
raced mid-division, headway on bit from 4 out, chased winner 2 out, pressed winner and every chance last, hampered flat, held near finish
in touch, led 14th, ridden and hung right flat, held on
led, headed 11th, behind and pulled up 2 out
mistake, held up in rear, behind and pulled up before 2 out
jumped slowly, always behind
held up in rear, slow 3rd, reminders 5th, never troubled leaders
tracked leader, led 11th, headed 14th, ridden next, weakened 3 out, behind and pulled up last
close up, ridden 12th, weakened next, pulled up after 14th
Nonrunner
In a interesting affair, the ones that make the possibles list are Skycab, Be Upstanding, Don't Tell Jnr and Benefit, with the vote going to Benefit. The selection won over course and distance two runs ago and, despite now racing from a six-pound higher mark, followed up that effort with a fair run at Doncaster behind a progressive type in Memphis Beury. Back at this venue, he can be seen in an even better light. There is no doubt that Skycab is extremely well weighted based on his 2003 form and he put in a fair effort from today's mark at Huntingdon last time. He holds place claims, as does Be Upstanding, who keeps getting raised for being placed, and Don't Jnr, who was just beaten from today's mark over course and distance in November 2004. Of the others, Maids Monument is more out than in but has won from today's mark, Tirly Storm has won from a pound lower mark, but is unproven at today's trip, and, much as Figawin loves it here, he has had very little racing in the last three years. Even from out of the weights, Master Brew has the odd bit of form that could see him placed and, being lightly raced, Test Of Friendship should have improvement in him. However, for today, we will side with Benefit.
Skycab (IRE) 12-1 Close up, tracked leader 4th, ridden and one pace from 3 out, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Harrycone Lewis at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in Jan.
Test of Friendship 11-8fav Chased winner, ridden approaching 10th, soon beaten, 3rd of 5, 25l behind L'Orphelin at N Abbot 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gs in Nov.
Figawin 13-2 Held up, headway 11th, hampered 3 out, chased leaders approaching last, ran on to lead post, won at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-100 (F) gd beating Auburn Spirit by a shd, 11 ran.
Be Upstanding 15-8fav Midfield, pushed along and lost place halfway, headway 4 out, challening when blundered last, led final 100yds, headed post, 2nd of 13, shd behind Red Perk at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs 0-90 (F) gd.
High Peak 11-2 Prominent, mistake 5th and 9th, weakening when pulled up 2 out in race won by She's Our Native at Hereford 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-100 (E) sft, 15 ran.
Benefit 4-1 With leader, 2nd when hit 5 out, soon ridden, stayed on from next, chased winner at the last, no impression, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Menphis Beury at Doncaster 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd in Jan.
Extra Cache (NZ) 4-1 Held up, effort 10th, weakened 12th, 5th of 9, 15l behind Bobsbest at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (F) gd in Jan.
Tirley Storm 12-1 In touch, headway 9th, hampered and lost place 10th, rallied 3 out, beaten when mistake last, weakened flat, 3rd of 4, 17l behind Jupon Vert at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (E) sft in Nov.
