pulled hard, held up in rear until pulled way up to lead 3rd and clear after next, jumped slowly and reduced lead 10th, headed after 13th, soon weakened and eased, tailed off
not fluent, off the pace in 3rd, mistake 3rd, blundered 5th, closed 10th, well there 13th, weakened from 4 out, left remote 3rd between last 2
held up in last trio, headway 10th, chased winner before 4 out, no impression next, no chance when blundered badly 2 out, eventually unseated rider
mistake 1st, led until 3rd, chased clear leader, closed 10th, led after 13th, in command when left well clear 2 out
chased leaders until slow and dropped to rear 4th, never travelled or jumped with any fluency after, lost touch 13th, tailed off
tended to jump right, in last trio, outpaced and struggling 11th, plugged on from after 4 out, left remote 2nd between last 2, tailed off
As De Fer was placed over fences in France but has shown nothing since joining Anthony Honeyball while Noble Aran continues to disappoint. Arctic Ben looks harshly treated on his second in a three-runner race at Taunton while Four Strong Winds has wasted similar opportunities over hurdles and fences in the past. One And All's form over hurdles is very moderate so this is probably best left to PLUNKETT, who was well beaten by Royal Tune when second over C&D here last month but at least jumps well and does have a course win over hurdles in his portfolio.
Arctic Ben (IRE) 2-1 (11-0) Led, headed briefly 3 out, headed last, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 3, 1 1/2l behind Clouseau (11-0) at Taunton 2m nov chs 0-115 (4) gd in Nov.
Four Strong Winds (IRE) 6-1 (10-11) Raced freely, led and soon clear, headed approaching 2 out, soon beaten, 3rd of 5, 18l behind Ballybach (11-0) at Folkestone 2m mdn chs (5) hvy.
Plunkett (IRE) 11-2 (10-8) Raced in rear, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, stayed on approaching last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 17l behind Royal Tune (11-6) at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Dec.
As De Fer (FR) 40-1 (11-6) Chased leader until 6th, weakened 4 out, tailed off, 9th of 16, well behind Mic's Delight (11-9) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
Noble Aran (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Close up, went 2nd 8th, weakened to 4th when stumbled 3 out, 4th of 9, 26l behind Walk Tall (11-7) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Dec.
One And All (IRE) 28-1 (11-0) Mid-division, weakened from 7th, fell 3 out, in a race won by Pocketwood (11-9) at Exeter 2m 5f 4yo Am hcp 0-100 (4) gs in Dec, 18 ran.
