raced wide tracked leaders, not fluent 4 out, lost place next, weakened
led, not fluent 10th, ridden and joined 2 out, headed home turn, kept on one pace, lost 2nd flat
tracked leader, joined leader 2 out, ridden to lead home turn, clear last, idled flat
close up, mistake 10th, ridden 3 out, disputing 3rd when mistake and sprawled badly on landing last, not recover
in touch, hampered 10th, ridden 3 out, headway home turn, stayed on to chase winner towards finish
always in rear, behind 7th, detached 12th, finish in own time
Any rain would boost the chances of Princess Roxy, a beaten favourite at Uttoxeter after finishing third at Bangor in October, but we’ll give another chance to MISS GEMSTONE (NAP). She has been jumping left over fences and stumbled and got rid of Ciaran Gethings last time at Ludlow but David Bass is back on board today and this track should suit. Episode hasn’t really taken to fences so far but this race lacks strength-in-depth. Dariya has won three times over hurdles and once on the Flat but is not bred for chasing so is best watched.
Dariya (USA) 16-1 (11-0) Towards rear, headway and close up 4th, ridden 6 out, weakened 4 out, tailed off, 5th of 6, dist behind Captain Blackpearl (11-3) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Miss Gemstone 4-1fav (11-12) Led, jumped markedly left 2nd and 3rd, mistake and unseated rider 6th, at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp (5) gs in Dec.
Princess Roxy 16-5fav (11-3) Prominent until 2nd, chased leaders, mistake 4th, headway after 11th, stayed on same pace from 3 out, 5th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Diamond Brig (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Achy Breaky Heart (IRE) 11-1 (11-9) Led 1st, headed 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 7th of 11, dist behind Rose Of Aghaboe (12-3) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Episode (FR) 3-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 11, 37 3/4l behind Rose Of Aghaboe (12-3) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Poetic Presence (IRE) 200-1 (10-0) Midfield, dropped to rear 2nd, awkward 4th, detached 5th, pushed along 11th, virtually tailed off before 4 out, plugged on, 5th of 12, dist behind Mance Rayder (11-9) at Doncaster 3m 2f hcp (5) gd in Nov.
