tracked leader, until weakened 3 out
held up, weakened 8th, behind when pecked 3 out
never a factor
tracked leaders, ridden 9th, chased leader, kept on the lead last
led and keen, clear 7th, not fluent 3 out, ridden after 2 out, weakening when headed last
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 8th
held up and keen, effort to chase leaders after 4 out
held up and mistake 2nd, weakened 7th, behind when fell 9th
Sole Agent will be popular and Atacama Star has claims but it may be worth taking a pot shot with Safari Adventures. Sole Agent is well handicapped on his form over hurdles and conditions appear to be ideal for him and has sound claims for the stable that won this race in 2006. He has yet to convince with his jumping but the more testing conditions may assist in that respect. Atacama Star was raised by a stone for winning at Hereford which prompted a return to hurdling last time. He is in form and open to improvement over fences and could easily go close despite the handicapper's best efforts. There are also reasons to believe that Safari Adventures is ahead of the game as well though. He was good enough to beat Kanad over hurdles at this track and he ran far better than his latest, and second start, over fences suggests. That run was in a fair contest at Leicester but Safari Adventures' sights have been lowered for his handicap bow and he's taken to hit the target.
Safari Adventures (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Pulled hard mid-division, headway 4th, every chance 2 out, weakened last, 4th of 9, 22l behind Fleet Street (11-0) at Leicester 2m beg chs (4) gs.
Pauntley Gofa 9-1 (11-0) Always behind, 8th of 13, well behind Gentle John (11-5) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs.
Master T (USA) 12-1 (10-5) Mid-division, ridden and effort after 7th, kept on one pace, 6th of 16, 18l behind Share My Dream (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f sll hdl (5) gd in Dec.
Sole Agent (IRE) 15-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, one pace, 3rd of 11, 4l behind Roussea (10-3) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Dec.
Atacama Star 11-2 (10-3) Mid-division, headway and chased leader approaching 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 16, 23l behind Katess (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft.
Wild Power (GER) 28-1 (10-0) Never a factor, tailed off, 8th of 10, well behind Vinmix De Bessy (11-4) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Dec.
Island of Memories (IRE) 11-1 (10-7) Held up, mistake 2nd, ridden and headway after 11th to go in touch until weakened next, 10th of 11, well behind Master d'Or (11-5) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
Ballyrainey (IRE) 7-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 10, 34l behind Oiseau de Nuit (11-3) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy.