held up towards rear, pulled up before 5th
led until 9th, prominent, led approaching 3 out, soon in command, easily
held up towards rear, some progress when mistake 14th, weakened next
mid-division, headway when blundered 14th, left 3rd 4 out, 3rd and no chance when refused last
chased leaders until 11th, soon well behind, pulled up before 3 out
prominent, led 9th, blundered 14th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon held
mid-division, mistake 11th, weakened 4 out, left remote 4th, last
lost touch 11th, pulled up after 13th
mid-division, headway 8th, went 3rd after 13th, travelling well enough when fell 4 out
never travelling, tailed off and pulled up before 5th
held up towards rear, headway after 13th, weakened 4 out, left remote 3rd last
mid-divisiion, ridden after 15th, weakened next
jumped poorly, tracked leaders, blundered 7th and 9th, ridden after 10th, towards rear when blundered and unseated rider 14th
Another open looking event, with the most likely winner in our view being DILLAY BROOK, but we also respect the claims of Its A Classic and Just Poppytree. The selection is Tom George's only runner on the card, and although giving weight away to many, does seem well treated. Second last time out the ground may have been too soft for her. The blinkers are kept on and Richard Johnson's likely to give her a positive ride which she needs, and she's likely to be well backed. Its A Classic was second last time out in his first run for two years and his first for Paul Blockley. The marathon trip shouldn't be a problem, and he's may be held up to do his best work late on. Just Poppytree won't want it too soft; stamina may have got the better of her in heavy ground last time out in the mud at Folkestone, and she may be better suited to this lower grade contest. Peveril Pride is racing off a much lower mark now than when winning this race two years ago, his only success in 38 runs. It's going to be a stamina sapper, and we think the one to last the distance best will be Dillay Brook.
Just Poppytee 13-8fav (11-1) Led, hit 3 out, soon ridden, joined 2 out, soon headed and outpaced by winner, 2nd of 4, 9l behind Don't Be Bleu (11-1) at Folkestone 3m 1f mrs beg chs (4) sft.
Freeze Up (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Chased leader to 5th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 4th of 11, 36l behind Haddaaf (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (4) gf in May.
Dillay Brook (IRE) 11-8fav (11-11) Towards rear, ridden and headway 13th, tracked leader 3 out, left in lead 2 out, headed last and faded, 2nd of 9, 6l behind Willy The Slip (11-12) at Lingfield 3m nov hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy in Nov.
Its A Classic 8-1 (11-1) Held up in touch, left 2nd at 12th, led before 4 out, narrowly headed when jumped badly right 2 out, keeping on gamely when pecked last, finished tired but kept on gamely run-in, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Spanchil Hill (10-4) at Plumpton 3m 2f n.
Lord Nellsson 66-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, weakened 7th, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Three Lions (10-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f sll hdl (5) gf in Sept, 13 ran.
Mr Big (IRE) 9-2 (11-9) Mid-division, headway 10th, ridden and weakened 12th, behind when pulled up in race won by Joe Deane (10-11) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Nov, 12 ran.
Orion Star (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Soon chasing leaders, led 11th to next, chased leader, led briefly 3 out, chased winner after, held before last, 2nd of 8, 9l behind Spanchil Hill (10-11) at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Nov.
You Know Bridie (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Towards rear, steady headway from 8th, chased leaders next, one pace from 2 out, 4th of 13, 9l behind Acosta (11-5) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp hdl (5) sft in Nov.
Brasilia Prince 100-1 (11-2) Lost touch 4th and pulled up at the 11th in race won by Aimigayle (10-9) at Kempton 3m beg chs (4) gd in Nov, 8 ran.
Primrose Park 40-1 (10-0) Mid-division, mistake and reminder 7th, weakened 10th and pulled up in race won by Flight Command (11-3) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Nov, 12 ran.
All Sonsilver (FR) 20-1 (10-9) Towards rear, brief effort 7th, tailed off when 3 out, 7th of 11, 39l behind Kinkeel (10-0) at Towcester 2m 3f cnd hcp chs (5) sft in Nov.
Peveril Pride 20-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, lost place 10th, struggling in rear when pulled up 5 out in race won by Little Shilling (10-5) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft, 10 ran.
Miss Doublet 9-1 (11-1) Never really travelling in rear, reminders after 4th and 11th, blundered next, soon lost interest, tailed off, last of 4, well behind Don't Be Bleu (11-1) at Folkestone 3m 1f mrs beg chs (4) sft.
