mid-division, chased leaders 5th until 10th, soon ridden, weakened after 4 out
led until 4th, led again next, mistake 12th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened
chased leaderse, losing place when not fluent 5th, soon behind, pulled up after 10th
always prominent, led 4th until next, ridden after 4 out, stayed on strongly flat, led close home
held up, ridden after 12th, plugged on to go 4th 2 out, no further impression
held up, headway 11th, led after 4 out, soon clear, hit 2 out, ridden before next, no extra when caught close home
held up, headway 11th, ridden after 4 out, disputed 2nd 2 out, no extra from last
chased leaders until weakened 12th, behind when pulled up before 2 out
held up, brief effort 12th, weakened after next, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
A competitive contest in which He's The Gaffer gets the nod ahead of Sha Bihan and Walcot Lad. Tony McCoy looks a very interesting booking for the selection who was still travelling well when a faller on his last start, and due to race off a 10lb higher mark in future, he could be ahead of the handicapper. Assuming that he handles the slower ground, he looks to hold very solid claims. Another with obvious claims is Alan King's Sha Bihan. He has his horses in rude health at present, and his French-bred gelding makes his chasing debut today. He should be fine on the ground as he handled it in France, however this looks like a fairly tough introduction against seasoned chasers and so for that reason he is passed over. As is Matthew Muroto who is still struggling from his hike in the weights following a win at Newton Abbot in April. Similarly Jolly Boy is now 14lbs above his highest winning mark, whilst Walcot Lad is 9lbs above his after winning in style on his penultimate start here at the track. Perhaps of more interest may be Dun An Doras who has slipped back to a winning mark, and in the knowledge that he handles the ground, he has place claims. However for the winner, we confidently return to He's The Gaffer.
Matthew Muroto (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Held up, driven along 12th, effort after 14th, weakened 4 out, 4th of 11, 24l behind Red Echo (10-4) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Jun.
Jolly Boy (FR) 13-8fav (11-12) Chased leader, struggling from 7th, last of 6, 48l behind Stormy Beech (11-1) at Catterick 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.
Walcot Lad (IRE) 5-1 (11-1) Led until 8th, with leader, ridden and lost place after 12th, rallied approaching 3 out, stayed on to go 2nd run-in, 2nd of 8, 13l behind Mr Boo (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Apr.
Sha Bihan (FR) 11-2 (11-1) Mid-division, ridden and weakened 3 out, 8th of 15, 27l behind Fountain Crumble (10-5) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Idiome (FR) 13-2 (10-4) In touch, ridden and stayed on from 4 out, 4th of 8, 4l behind Wain Mountain (11-8) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Dec.
Dun An Doras (IRE) 7-1 (9-4) Chased leaders, led 10th until 12th, ridden approaching 4 out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 36l behind Naunton Brook (11-0) at Exeter 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
He's The Gaffer (IRE) 7-4fav (11-1) Held up, behind when fell at the 7th in race won by Alphabetical (11-11) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Dec, 11 ran.
Dedrunknmunky (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Led 2nd until headed 3 out, weakened, 11th of 18, 34l behind Parkinson (10-8) at Exeter 2m 6f amt hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Dec.
Barclay Boy 25-1 (11-3) Always in rear, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Ferimon (11-2) at Huntingdon 3m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Dec, 17 ran.
