made all, reminders after 3rd and before 8th, clear 2 out, ridden out
always last, lost touch before 9th, pulled up before 4 out
held up in 5th, jumped left at times, hit 6th, closed 10th, went 4th before 3 out, no impression, weakened before next
tracked leaders, hit 8th, soon ridden, hit 3 out, chased winner before next, stayed on same pace, no impression
tracked leaders, pushed along when not fluent 8th, weakened and pulled up before 3 out
tracked winner until before 2 out, soon weakened
The ex-Irish Gran Torino had no chance from his handicap mark here on Boxing Day but generally raced in better company than this in his native country and should get involved. Ten Fires makes too many mistakes which is why he's 1-19 over fences while Kilcommon Pride has jumped massively in the weights since last season and has a long absence to overcome. For The Staff has dropped to a fair mark but is still a maiden so this can go to the tough SHAKING HANDS, who made all and battled on in very testing ground at Towcester last month. Full Of Joy hasn't had much racing over the past couple of years but has to be respected on his narrow defeat at Fontwell on his penultimate start just over a year ago.
Shaking Hands (IRE) 11-2 (11-9) Made all, driven 2 out, switched towards stands side rail between last 2, ridden and kept on under pressure flat, won at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) hvy in Dec beating Chac Du Cadran (11-8) by 1 1/4l, 8 ran.
Gran Torino (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) In touch, pushed along 5 out, soon no impression, modest 4th, 4th of 5, 47l behind Carruthers (11-5) at Ffos Las 3m 1f hcp chs 0-140 (3) hvy in Dec.
Full Of Joy (IRE) 5-2 (11-11) Held up in 3rd, not fluent 8th, in touch when fell 15th, in a race won by Lord Tomnoddy (11-8) at Ascot 3m nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Nov, 6 ran.
Ten Fires (GER) 3-1 (11-3) Tracked leader until 8th, went 2nd again 11th until 16th, driven 4 out, no extra 2 out, 3rd of 6, 12l behind Mission Complete (10-13) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Dec.
Kilcommon Pride (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Soon tracked leaders, with winner 12th, not fluent last, one pace run-in, 3rd of 7, 1l behind Emperor Concerto (11-8) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Mar.
For The Staff (IRE) Evensfav (11-7) Mainly tracked leader, ridden to chase winner by-passing 4 out, plugged on from 2 out, 2nd of 7, 14l behind Musical Wedge (11-7) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp 0-100 (5) sft in Nov.
