pulled hard in rear, weakened before 4 out, behind when pulled up 2 out
behind, headway after 3 out, never on terms
prominent when blundered and unseated rider 1st
held up in rear, not fluent 7th, slow 12th, soon ridden, headway when unseated rider 3 out
chased leaders, effort 3 out, soon one pace
always prominent, chased winner after 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, chased leaders halfway, effort 3 out, weakened before last
tracked leaders, led after 4 out, clear before last, ran on well, comfortably
led, headed approaching 6th, remained prominent, lost place before 9th
held up towards rear, hampered after 4 out, headway before 2nd last, ran on, never nearer
held up in touch, under pressure 10th, soon weakened
behind, headway 9th, chased leaders next, ridden to challenge 3 out, soon chasing winner, stayed on same pace
held up in touch, led approaching 6th, headed after 4 out, weakened quickly, behind when pulled up before 2 out
A race little better than plating company and PONCHATRAIN is the selection with Wondersobright and King Diamond others to make the shortlist. Martin Keighley's season continues in great form and the former David Wintle charge could still be well handicapped on some of his older form thereby making him an attractive betting proposition under a penalty. Wondersobright faced an impossible task at Plumpton from out of the handicap but there has been enough of late to suggest that he will be winning a race soon. King Diamond ran well over an inadequate trip at Towcester. Richie McLernon is back aboard this afternoon and the pair should go well. Ere Alfie is a long standing maiden though he is noteworthy on the basis of his stable's form. Chicago Alley has won two point-to-points so if able to translate that to regulation fences, he has to be a player. Space Cowboy put up a disappointing reappearance and may be best watched. Just Playfull has had the benefit of two recent outings and is tried in the first time headgear. A race that won't take a lot of winning and Ponchatrain looks at the right end of the handicap.
Chicago Alley 22-1 (10-0) Towards rear, ridden and behind from 4 out, 8th of 12, 46l behind Cobbler's Queen (11-0) at Leicester 2m 4f Mares Novice Handicap Hurdle (0-105) (3yo+) (4) gd in Nov.
Caspar of Tarsus (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) With leader until after 7th, chased leading pair, ridden approaching 11th, no chance from next, lost 3rd when mistake 2 out, last of 4, 39l behind Leading Contender (10-9) at Taunton 2m 7f beg chase (4) gs in Mar.
Wondersobright (IRE) 16-1 (9-10) Chased leader and clear of rest, hit 5th, pushed along before 7th, weakened before next, last 4 out, tailed off when mistake next, 9th of 10, 50l behind Nomecheki (11-6) at Plumpton 2m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) hvy in Nov.
PonchaTrain (IRE) 3-1fav (10-13) Mid-division, headway 11th, led approaching 2 out, soon ridden, ran on well, won at Folkestone 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Nov beating Lord Appellare (11-9) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Just Playfull 11-1 (10-6) Held up in rear, headway to chase leaders 14th, chased winner after 3 out until soon after last, weakened run-in, 5th of 10, 10l behind Ray Mond (9-11) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Nov.
Ballyaahbutt (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Led, driven and headed 9th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up after 11th, in a race won by Killfinnan Castle (10-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Mar, 9 ran.
King Diamond (FR) 8-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, reminders after 5th, stayed on to go 2nd after last, closed on winner, held near finish, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Devils River (11-1) at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft in Nov.
Ere Alfie (IRE) 17-2 (10-0) Held up mid-division, went 3rd after 4 out, well beaten when fell last, in a race won by Sir Winston (10-13) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp 0-100 (4) gs in Nov, 12 ran.
Mortar 14-1 (9-8) Tracked leaders, mistake 11th, lost place next, 6th of 8, 40l behind PonchaTrain (10-13) at Folkestone 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Nov.
Kappelhoff (IRE) 5-2 (10-13) Pressed leader, led 8th to 10th, stayed pressing leader until outpaced before 2 out, last of 4, 42l behind Ayemdee (11-9) at Fontwell 2m 6f cnd hcp chs (0-95) (5) hvy in Nov.
Wishes Or Watches (IRE) 100-1 (10-1) Chased leaders, losing place when hampered on long run to 5th, tailed off, 10th of 16, 50l behind Ready To Crown (11-5) at Warwick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Nov.
Hobb's Dream (IRE) 14-1 (10-5) Not fluent, held up, weakened after 4 out, no chance when fell 2 out, in a race won by Dusk (10-9) at Lingfield 3m nov hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs in Nov, 6 ran.
Popsleebobross (IRE) 10-1 (9-10) Held up in 5th, mistake 6th, headway where left 3rd at 9th, weakened after 12th, tailed off, 5th of 6, well behind Portrait Royale (10-13) at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp 0-90 (5) gs in Nov.
Space Cowboy (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Unruly to mount, held up in rear, bustled along and looked reluctant after 5th, driven after 11th, mistake next, behind when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Dusk (10-6) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Nov, 7 ran.
