led, not fluent 7th, ridden 3 out, soon headed, one pace and no impression from last
tracked leaders, led after 3 out, ridden clear approaching last, kept on well
always towards rear, jumped 2nd slow, struggling from 11th
tracked leader, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace
held up, in 5th and weakening badly 3 out
towards rear, headway when hit 10th, ridden after 4 out, weakened from 2 out
tracked leaders, hit 5th and soon lost place, reminders approaching 10th, still struggling, pulled up after 12th
Shannon's Pride, Windsor Boy and Hakim are the three to look at here and preference is for Shannon's Pride to get reward for some consistent performances. At the age of twelve, Hakim is in his best ever form. he ran up a four timer before finding only Kelrev too good at Doncaster last time. Top weight may stop him winning here though. Martin Pipe's Windsor Boy made a promising re-appearance after a year off the track when finishing third at Wincanton in a good class contest, and followed that up with a good second to Sir Storm at Wetherby on Boxing Day. He looks sure to go well. Richard Guest's Shannon's pride hasn't won in over a year but there was a lot to like about his run when third behind prince of Slane last time. He was in second when blundering at the third from home and could have gone close. The winner has since run away with the North Yorkshire Grand National so the form is solid. Shannon's Pride is taken to land the spoils.
Hakim (NZ) 11-2 (11-4) Led, ridden and headed before 2 out, kept on, 2nd of 13, 4l behind Kelrev (11-6) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (C) gs in Dec.
Windsor Boy (IRE) 4-1fav (10-12) Mid-division, mistake and lost place 6th, headway 5 out, left 2nd next, ridden and 3 lengths down when fell 2 out in race won by Sir Storm (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) sft in Dec, 13 ran.
Jack Martin (IRE) 14-1 (10-10) Mid-division, headway 6th, driven and outpaced 4 out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 34l behind Corlande (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy.
Alcopop 9-2 (11-5) Chased clear leaders, went 2nd 12th, hit 13th, 6 lengths down when fell 4 out in race won by Bob The Builder (11-3) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd, 11 ran.
Shannon's Pride (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Tracked leader, 5 length 2nd when blundered 3 out, no impression after, 3rd of 9, 14l behind Prince of Slane (10-5) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd.
Day du Roy (FR) 80-1 (11-8) Behind, ridden and struggling 4 out, 7th of 16, 28l behind Rubberdubber (11-8) at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs.
Walcot Lad (IRE) 4-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, led 3rd, made rest, kept on gamely from 3 out, ridden out, won at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft beating Pietro Vannucci (11-2) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Fireaway 9-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, ridden to chase winner approaching 14th, kept on, 2nd of 8, 8l behind Reverse Swing (10-0) at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-115 (D) gd in Dec.
