held up in touch, ridden 12th, hampered and left 3rd 2 out, weakened flat
held up in rear, hit 6th, headway 9th, disputing 3rd when fell 12th
keen, tracked leader, led 4th, badly blundered 11th, ridden, headed when fell 2 out
in touch, ridden 7th, lost place 9th, dropped to rear, stayed on to take 3rd flat
always in rear, mistake 13th
chased leaders, led 2 out, ridden out
jumped left, led, headed 4th, mistake 7th, ridden, every chance 2 out, stayed on same pace
chased leaders, ridden, weakened approaching 4 out
held up, ridden 9th, weakened approaching 3 out
Many in with a chance in this handicap chase namely New Perk, Ah Yeah and Tommy Spar with the vote going to the last named. Ridden by Tony McCoy Tommy Spar did win a little race at Worcester back in July and apart from his latest effort when he finished nearer last than first at Hereford his previous efforts looked good enough to win a race such as this. If you can forgive his last race he can go close. New Perk has run two fine races recently finishing second at Uttoxeter before winning around here last time out. The handicapper has taken note though and this will be tougher. Ah Yeah enters calculations on some of his hurdle form but he has yet to perform with any real credit over the larger obstacles so is probably best watched today. So for the winner we return to Tommy Spar.
Tommy Spar 5-1 (11-3) Chased leader to after 4 out, soon ridden, one pace from 2 out, 4th of 5, 8l behind Direct Flight (11-7) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gd in Nov.
Ashwell (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Held up mid-division, smooth headway approaching 4th, chased winner approaching 2 out, stayed on, 2nd of 11, 1 1/2l behind Reverse Swing (10-3) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-100 (F) gd in Oct.
Bonnet's Pieces 20-1 (11-3) Held up, chased leader 6th, led 8th, headed 2 out, soon beaten, 2nd of 5, 12l behind Clouding Over (11-3) at Huntingdon 2m 4f mrs nov chs (D) gd.
Sconced (USA) 20-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, lost place after 4 out, ridden and stayed on from 2 out, 4th of 14, 10l behind Villago (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (E) gs in Nov.
New Perk (IRE) 18-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, ridden to chase leader from 4 out, stayed on to lead close home, won at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd in Nov beating Alcopop (11-12) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Kyno (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) In touch, headway 3 out, ridden next, stayed on to chase winner flat, 2nd of 15, 1/2l behind Qualitair Pleasure (11-7) at Doncaster 3m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (E) gd in Nov.
Ah Yeah (IRE) 11-1 (10-11) Held up and keen, headway 10th, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 10, 20l behind Never Awol (10-6) at Towcester 3m cnd hcp chs (F) sft in Nov.
Spider Boy 22-1 (10-0) Always behind, 7th of 15, 27l behind Jolly Boy (10-1) at Hereford 2m nov hcp chs 0-95 (F) gd in Nov.
