held up last, headway after 2 out, ridden on long run to last to challenge for 2nd, kept on same pace
made all, hung right on long run to last, kept on well, ridden out
chased winner throughout, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on, always held
held up, pecked 3rd, went 3rd 4th until weakened after 2 out
chased leaders, hit 1st, dropped to 5th and struggling when blundered and unseated rider 2 out
FIX THE RIB is progressing nicely and can account for these rivals. William Bonney hasn't fulfilled his early promise over fences and hasn't exactly shone on his two runs over hurdles so it's difficult to envisage him gunning these rivals down. Maori Legend did win a chase last time but that was over an extended three miles on good to soft and she's been raised by 8lbs and it would be a surprise were she to have the speed for this trip. I'm A Legend has been progressing well over hurdles on better ground and should, at least, be suited by dropping back in trip. He'll need to improve for the switch to chasing to take this on his chase bow. Colonial Jim is also having his first start over fences and similar remarks apply to him but he should at least handle the testing conditions. Fix The Rib was average over hurdles but he had shown form between the flags in Ireland so it was no surprise to see him improve for the switch to chasing. He was impressive on his chase bow, followed up with the minimum of fuss in a weak race at Kempton and has been found another good opening. The ground is an issue but he'll probably be able to get away with it in this company and this race looks to be on a plate for Fix The Rib.
William Bonney (IRE) 6-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway after 4th, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 11, 25l behind Suntini (10-1) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Fix The Rib (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Led until 2nd, chased leader, led 4 out, stayed on strongly from 2 out, ridden out, won at Kempton 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Jan beating Pepsyrock (11-7) by 11l, 7 ran.
Maori Legend 9-1 (11-5) In touch, effort to join leader 2 out, led last, driven, stayed on well flat, won at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Jan beating Enroblim Trop (11-1) by 1l, 14 ran.
I'm A Legend 8-1 (11-9) Held up, headway 8th, went 3rd 3 out, soon ridden, weakened next, 4th of 10, 20l behind Gullible Gordon (11-7) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Colonial Jim (IRE) 6-1 (10-11) Mid-division, ridden when mistake 3 out, soon held, 8th of 15, 48l behind Supreme Keano (10-11) at Towcester 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
