held up in 4th, headway to challenge 2 out, weakened well before last
held up in rear, headway to dispute poor 3rd before last, no chance
raced wide, led until after 2nd, chased leader to 2 out, soon driven, weakened and tired when hit last
led after 2nd, driven and headed between last 2, soon beaten, hit last
chased leader to after 2nd, led between last 2, drew well clear before last, pushed out run-in
DOCTORED has sound claims at this level and is taken to get the better of Drizzi and Spider Boy. In truth there is no strength in depth to this contest, so speculative interests with Winning Show or Narlen could also (granted a deal of good fortune) feasibly turn a profit. They both have improvement to find, so cannot be forwarded as confident selections though. Spider Boy likes this course and, having won off a mark just 1lb lower last season, he can go close if in the right frame of mind. His last few starts have not created the impression that he is currently in love with racing, though. And he looks a risky proposition to be a main hope on the day. Drizzi makes his handicap debut off a lowly rating and his shrewd connections may have found an instant route to riches in the new venture. Still, it remains to be seen how the gelding will respond to wearing blinkers for the first time; so he hardly appeals as one to dive overboard with at cramped odds. Therefore, it can pay to take a chance with Doctored, who is a touch more experienced over hurdles. As he receives plenty of weight from the rest, the seven-year-old at least has that in his favour should the ground turn this into a dire slog for the line. It is not harsh to sum this up as being 'a race for die-hard punters and Placepot selections only'.
Winning Show 66-1 (10-12) Always in the rear, 10th of 18, 32l behind Show Winner (10-7) at Kempton 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Narlen (CZE) 100-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, blundered 2nd, weakened after 7th, 8th of 13, well behind King Jack (11-4) at Kempton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Spider Boy 40-1 (9-11) Chased leader until after 6th, soon ridden, weakened approaching 3 out, 10th of 16, well behind Charles Street (10-6) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Nov.
Drizzi (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Hampered 5th, always towards rear, 6th of 12, 36l behind Postmaster (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Doctored 25-1 (9-11) In touch, kept on one pace from 2 out, 4th of 10, 17l behind Spear Thistle (11-12) at Lingfield 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Nov.
