mid-division, headway after 5th, hit next, ridden to chase leading pair approaching 2 out, soon one pace
raced keenly, led, soon clear, hit 2nd, blundered 3 out, ridden and headed next, soon beaten
always towards rear
held up towards rear, went left 3 out, some late progress, never a danger
in touch, ridden approaching 6th, weakened approaching 2 out
chased clear leader, hit 3 out, led 2 out, soon ridden, headed last, kept on same pace
in touch, ridden after 5th, hit next, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden after 6th, soon weakened, tailed off
always towards rear
held up towards rear, steady progress from 6th, led approaching last, ran on strongly, comfortably
chased leaders until dropped rear 3rd, mistake and unseated rider next
This step up in trip looks ideal for LIMBO KING, who can provide Tony McCoy with an early Christmas present in the form of another win from the saddle, while Friendly King and Solent look short list material. The selection is rated in the 70s on the flat, where he has not yet broken his maiden tag, but he perhaps showed that hurdling may be more his forte with a very pleasing debut at Plumpton on similar ground to today¿s. Although he never really troubled the winner that day he could do no more than pull five lengths clear of the remainder and with the champ booked he looks likely to be able to go on and win this. Friendly King and Solent are both penalised for recent successes. The former dotted up in a very poor Fakenham contest over 2m 4f at the beginning of the month, but it would be churlish to knock that too much as this is not exactly red hot. There is every reason to believe that he will put up a good performance. Solent, on the other hand, failed under the same penalty when third to Drever Route at Hexham in October, having previously won at Bangor. Cut in the ground suits and he is sent on a long journey by John Quinn, so the portents for a good run are all there. Nicobar represents a yard in cracking form and the gelding should have learned plenty from his recent debut here, so improvement is anticipated, while the same can be said of Teddy¿s Reflection, who has had just one bumper outing a year or so ago and if fit enough first-time, could get involved. Limbo King can get us off to a good start.
Friendly King 11-4 (11-0) Behind, headway 7th, soon chasing leaders, led after 3 out, clear approaching last, ran on well, won at Fakenham 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) sft beating Lord Brunello (11-0) by 16l, 10 ran.
Solent (IRE) 15-8 (11-5) Led, headed approaching last, soon no extra, 3rd of 13, 10l behind Drever Route (10-12) at Hexham 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Chase The Dawn 40-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, lost place 2nd, soon well in rear, tailed off and unseated rider 2 out in race won by Virginia Preuil (11-0) at Fakenham 2m 7f nov hdl (3) gf in May, 7 ran.
Colombard (FR) 20-1 (10-12) Held up, blundered 2nd, chased leaders 6th, weakened 3 out, 6th of 21, 41l behind Kangaroo Court (10-9) at Doncaster 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Feel The Force (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Held up in mid-division, ridden and went poor 4th after 2 out, kept on flat, 4th of 12, 37l behind Medermit (11-5) at Folkestone 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Limbo King 13-2 (10-12) Held up, headway after 6th, chased leaders 3 out, every chance 2 out, chasing winner and held when hit last, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Postmaster (11-9) at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (4) sft.
Madness (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Always rear division, 9th of 12, 38l behind Postmaster (11-9) at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (4) sft.
Nicobar (FR) 28-1 (10-5) Always towards rear, 9th of 15, 32l behind Missoula (10-5) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs.
Path To Glory 100-1 (10-11) Always rear, ridden and struggling 3 out, tailed off, 9th of 10, well behind Circus of Dreams (11-4) at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft.
Teddy's Reflection (IRE) 28-1 (10-7) Mid-division and keen, headway 5f out, chased leaders over 2f out, one pace, 3rd of 16, 8l behind Take Me There (11-7) at Hereford 2m 1f nhf (6) gs in Dec '07.
Missus Jones (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Blundered 1st, mistake 2nd, lost touch soon after 3rd and pulled up 4 out in race won by Mewstone (10-10) at Lingfield 2m mrs nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov, 5 ran.
