tracked leaders, under pressure 4 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, mistake 5th, soon weakened, pulled up before 8th
tracked leaders, bad mistake 1st, good recovery, mistake 4th, slow 8th and 10th, weakened after 3 out, pulled up after next
led, jumped left 5 out, mistake 2nd last, soon headed and no extra
hampered 1st, good recovery, chased leaders, mistake 3 out, effort when hampered next, weakened approaching last
held up in rear, headway approaching 4 out, led 2 out, soon clear, ran on well
COLONIAL JIM could emerge on top from Wadswick Ben and Honour's Dream. The selection won back to back races over hurdles just over a year ago and looked as though he was capable of climbing a little higher up the ladder. Things haven't really gone according to plan but he's unexposed over fences, went close on his penultimate start and faces an easier task than he did last time with cheekpieces on for the first time. Honour's Dream hasn't had many chances for a yard that has enjoyed a decent winter. He hasn't taken to a visor the last twice but he has plenty of form in cheekpieces which are back on today and it would be no surprise to see that coincide with an improved performance. Wadswick Ben has yet to run on ground any worse than good to soft but connections presumably wouldn't run him here if they weren't hopeful that he'd handle it. He hasn't shown a great deal thus far but this is probably his first realistic opportunity and the yard enjoyed a big winner at the weekend. He's worth noting in the market but the vote's awarded to Colonial Jim.
Honour's Dream (FR) 14-1 (10-0) Always behind, 6th of 13, 48l behind Fine By Me (9-12) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Majic Moments (IRE) 25-1 (11-11) Tended to jump left, behind, tailed off when pulled up 11th, in a race won by The Snail (11-7) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Dec, 12 ran.
Colonial Jim (IRE) 4-1 (10-9) Tracked leading pair, chased leader 4th until 6th, ridden 4 out, held when blundered 2 out, 6th of 8, 12l behind Carrickmines (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 5f cond hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Dec.
Tytheknot 20-1 (11-5) Behind, struggling 5th, never dangerous, 9th of 13, 32l behind Star Galaxy (9-9) at Hereford 2m nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Nov.
Wadswick Ben 22-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, pulled hard, mistake 2nd, not fluent next, mistake 12th, always behind, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Morning Moment (11-2) at Leicester 2m 7f mdn chs (4) gf in Dec.
Mr Floppy (IRE) 9-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, stayed on well from last, 4th of 17, 2 1/2l behind Amir Pasha (11-3) at Catterick 2m 3f am hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Dec.
