held up in rear, good headway 11th, chased winner 3 out, ridden and every chance next, weakened flat
with leader, led 9th, pressed from 3 out, ridden and stayed on flat
in touch, ridden and weakened 4 out, behind when pulled up approaching last
close up, chased winner 11th until 4 out, remained close up, ridden 3 out, stayed on to take 2nd flat
mid-division, ridden 10th, weakened next
held up mid-division, some headway 10th, weakened 12th, behind when pulled up 2 out
held up mid-division, ridden 10th, weakened 12th, behind when pulled up 2 out
in rear, pushed along and headway 4 out, weakened 2 out, mistake last
raced wide, always prominent, ridden to chase winner 4 out until 3 out, ridden to chase winner again when jumped left approaching last, lost 2nd towards finish
always behind
led, headed 9th, ridden 10th, saddle slip soon after 11th, pulled up before next
Nonrunner
Leopold, Russian Flag and DON'T ASK ME appeal most in this handicap chase and narrow preference is for the last mentioned. The selection was well beaten last time out but that was in a better race than this and in the main he jumped well. He shapes as though he will make a decent chaser and we think he can go well off this mark with both trip and ground to suit. Leopold won well over this course and distance last time out when he beat Boscall Hill, but only three runners finished that day and he will find life tougher today under his penalty. Russian Flag was useful over hurdles but he fell at Sedgefield last time out on his chasing bow and it remains to be seen if it has affected his confidence. Toni Alcala could go well at a bigger price, although this trip is a little shy of his best. Don't Ask Me is no good thing but he could be worth another chance.
Russian Flag (FR) 6-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway halfway, 3rd and in touch when fell 4 out in race won by Blast The Past (11-1) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs, 10 ran.
Jackella (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Always in rear, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by The Venetian (11-2) at Chepstow 3m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs, 12 ran.
Salhood 8-1 (11-4) Prominent, not fluent 3rd, 4th when blundered and unseated rider at the 8th in race won by Auditor (10-0) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Oct, 11 ran.
Leopold (SLO) 5-2fav (11-5) Tracked leader, led 3 out, ridden next, clear when blundered last, ran on, won at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Oct beating Boscall Hill (9-13) by 5l, 6 ran.
The Hardy Boy 9-1 (11-7) Held up, ridden along from 8th, no impression on leading trio, 4th of 7, well behind High Oscar (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs.
Don't Ask Me (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, tailed off, 7th of 11, well behind Exmoor Ranger (11-5) at Exeter 3m beg chs (4) gs in Oct.
Quartz Du Montceau (FR) 8-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 7th, led after 4 out, blundered and headed 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace from last, gifted 2nd final 40 yards, 2nd of 8, 8l behind Vibe (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd.
Good Old Days (IRE) 10-3 (11-5) In touch, ridden and blundered 2 out, disputing 2nd when blundered and unseated rider at the last in race won by Leopold (11-5) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Oct, 6 ran.
Ticket To Ride (FR) 14-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear, behind from 6th, tailed off, 10th of 11, well behind Thievery (10-0) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs.
Present 7-1 (10-10) Soon held up, weakened from 4 out, 7th of 10, well behind Kings Maiden (11-6) at Wetherby 2m 6f cnd nov hcp hdl (4) gf in Oct.
Boscall Hill (IRE) 11-1 (9-13) Led, ridden and headed 3rd, chased winner after, kept on one pace flat, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Leopold (11-5) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Oct.
Toni Alcala 16-1 (10-12) Mistake 1st, in rear, blundered 4th, mistake 7th, no chance from 12th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Blaze Ahead (10-11) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in May, 14 ran.
