chased leaders, ridden 11th, lost place next, pulled up, dismounted before 14th
led to 3rd, chased leader until weakened after 13th, tailed off when pulled up before last
in touch, tracked leading pair 12th, led 14th to 3 out, weakened after next
held up in rear, moderate 6th, no chance when fell last
in touch, effort to join leader 2 out, led last, driven, stayed on well flat
blundered 2nd, always in rear, tailed off
led 3rd, made most to 14th, weakened after 3 out
chased leaders, lost place after 11th, tailed off when pulled up before 13th
in touch, headway to lead 3 out, jumped left 2 out, went left, headed last, not quicken flat
chased leaders, already lost place when mistake, unseated rider 14th
in touch, ridden 13th, soon struggling in rear, tailed off when pulled up before last
behind, reminders 11th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before last
in rear, plugged on from 3 out, went 3rd after next, never any chance
held up in touch, ridden 11th, weakening when pulled up 13th
SOLID AS A ROCK can handle the rise in grade to see off prolific scorers, National Petition and Syncopated Rhythm. Granted, the recent Taunton winner has gone up 7lb for his recent success but he has some solid form with Little Shilling and in the context of this race, he could be worth a play at the likely odds. National Petition has been a revelation this term. A wide margin winner at Towcester, there is every chance that we haven't seen the best of him yet. Syncopated Rhythm made hay from a base figure of 74 and is now rated 91 after two wins. Enroblim Trop has ability but his record of late says it all with regard to consistency. R'Cam looked to have lost his way but a recent run won't have been lost on him. Spartan Place didn't do a lot wrong in a novice hurdle at Sandown. This is his first foray over fences. Cruising River was once useful over hurdles when trained by Henrietta Knight. Tarquinius makes a British debut for Charlie Mann. Present Oriented had form for Michael Chapman and is now tried in first time cheekpieces. A race where plenty have formbook claims and Solid As A Rock can make use of a hefty weight concession all around.
Cruising River (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Blundered 1st, tracked leaders, mistake 4th, hampered on bend after 9th, weakened quickly 10th and pulled up at the 12th in race won by Ashwell (11-6) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov, 12 ran.
Tarquinius (FR) (10-3) 2nd of 3, 5l behind Tresor Clementais (10-7) at Jallais 2m 6f chs gd in Jun.
National Petition (IRE) 11-10fav (11-0) Held up, left in lead 3 out, ridden approaching last, kept on, won at Towcester 3m chs 0-90 (5) gs in Dec beating Ross Leader (11-0) by 13l, 9 ran.
See The View (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) In touch, outpaced approaching 3 out, no danger after, 6th of 14, 17l behind Celticello (11-3) at Leicester 2m 4f sll hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Maori Legend 7-2 (10-4) Mid-division, headway 6th, chased leaders 12th, ridden and lost place approaching 4 out, stayed on one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 8, 3l behind Wizard of Edge (10-0) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Spartan Place 7-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, headway approaching 2 out, soon every chance, kept on under pressure flat, went 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 13, 1l behind Kadouchski (11-3) at Sandown 2m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Blaze Ahead (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, hit 2nd, ridden after 10th, weakened 14th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Deep Quest (10-11) at Exeter 4m hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec, 14 ran.
Present Oriented (USA) 28-1 (10-4) Led, hit 2nd, headed 8th, blundered 10th, struggling after, tailed off, 10th of 13, well behind Shouldhavehadthat (11-9) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Enroblim Trop (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Mid-division, weakened 11th, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Solid As A Rock (10-2) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Dec, 15 ran.
Lahinch Lad (IRE) 14-1 (10-3) Mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, stayed on flat, 5th of 14, 1 1/2l behind Sparkling Taff (10-3) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Jun '07.
R'Cam (IRE) 15-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, one pace under pressure, 4th of 16, 29l behind Constantius (10-2) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Dec.
Syncopated Rhythm (IRE) 2-1fav (10-8) Tracked leader, headway 12th, led approaching 3 out, hard ridden from 2 out and held on, won at Hereford 3m 1f cnd hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Nov beating Buailteoir (11-9) by 3l, 7 ran.
Solid As A Rock 8-1 (10-2) In touch, chased leader 4 out, ridden 3 out, challenged last, hard ridden to lead close home, won at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Dec beating Lancaster Sound (11-12) by 3/4l, 15 ran.
Mortar 11-1 (10-7) Raced in 7th, left 2nd at 9th, led 10th to next, well behind 3 out and pulled up 3 out in race won by National Petition (11-9) at Folkestone 3m 1f cnd hcp chs (5) sft in Dec, 10 ran.
Letitia's Loss (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, not fluent 2nd, under pressure before 8th, soon beaten, 5th of 7, well behind Snake Charmer (11-6) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
