with leaders, not fluent 8th, lost 2nd at 10th, jumped right, struggling from 12th, tailed off
raced keenly, set steady pace, still going well when challenged 3 out, headed last, ridden, found little, held flat
held up until blundered, unseated rider 2nd
tracked leading pair, went 2nd at 10th, challenging, going well when distracted by loose horse 3 out, led on inner last, driven out
Nonrunner
Mobasher gets the confident vote here with El Viejo and Just A Splash rating the main dangers. The selection was a fair fourth in a better race behind Armicelli last time out. This looks easier and with the faster ground also in his favour he will be hard to beat. El Viejo rates the main danger on his best form but he showed virtually nothing last time so can not be put forward with any confidence. However the fitting of first time blinkers could improve him. Just A Splash is another with place claims on his latest fourth behind Give Me Sunshine, but his best form is over a longer trip. Of the remainder Malaga Boy is from a yard in form and could go well at a price but he was pulled up last time for no apparent reason so can not be put forward with any confidence and with this in mind for the winner we return to Mobasher.
Carricklee Boy (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden and weakened before 5 out, behind when pulled up in race won by Climate Control (11-0) at Down Royal 2m 7f hts chs gs in Dec, 17 ran.
El Viejo (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, mistake 3rd, weakened under pressure 12th, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Mon Mome (11-12) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (D) sft in Dec, 11 ran.
Malaga Boy (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) In touch, every chance when hit 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Andy Gin (10-8) at Towcester 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy, 8 ran.
Mr Boo (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Keen in rear, weakened 5 out, 6th of 8, well behind Sharp Rigging (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m nov chs (3) gs in Feb.
Just A Splash (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Led 3rd to 5th at steady pace, ridden and weakened after 9th, 4th of 6, 25l behind Bring Me Sunshine (11-3) at Plumpton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Mobasher (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, hit 6th, ridden 14th, mistake and weakened 4 out, 4th of 8, 24l behind Amicelli (11-3) at Hereford 3m 1f beg chs (4) gd.
