There was plenty of money around for PEMBROKE when the early prices were put up for this prize and he finished off 2022 with stylish wins at Wetherby and Ludlow. Chasing Fire has been in his element at Market Rasen and won comfortably at the Lincolnshire course on Boxing Day. Toothless beat very little at Fakenham though he couldn’t have done so in more emphatic fashion while Doyen Star is something of an unknown upon the surface, but he’s already won a point-to-point followed by a Chepstow novice hurdle on his two career starts so far.
Chasing Fire 4-9fav (11-7) Chased leader on inside, led going well approaching 2 out, clear last, easily, won at Market Rasen 2m 1f (4) gs in Dec beating They Call Me Pete (11-0) by 16l, 10 ran.
Doyen Star (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) Chased leaders on inner, travelling strongly 2 out, asked for effort before last, led soon after, kept on run-in, won at Chepstow 2m (4) gs in Nov beating Mountain Leopard (11-0) by 2 1/4l, 15 ran.
Matata (IRE) 11-10fav (11-6) Pulled hard early, led and went clear briefly after 3rd, went left 4 out, hit 2 out, narrowly headed run-in, not much room on inside and switched right soon after, kept on, always held, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind War Soldier (11-6) at Haydock 2m (3) sft in Dec.
Pembroke 2-1 (11-6) Held up in touch, closed from 5th, led and dived at 3 out, clear 2 out, easily, won at Ludlow 2m (4) gs in Dec beating Amrons Sage (11-0) by 16l, 15 ran.
Toothless (FR) 5-4fav (11-8) Handy, led 4 out, bounded clear from 3 out, impressive, won at Fakenham 2m mdn (4) gs in Jan beating Boleyn Boy (11-8) by 35l, 9 ran.
War Soldier (IRE) 2-1 (11-6) Chased leader who went clear briefly after 3rd, awkward at 5th, lost 2nd after 4 out, handy 3rd, went 2nd again 3 out, hung left and challenged last, led narrowly soon after and hung left, stayed on, won at Haydock 2m (3) sft in Dec beating Matata (11-6) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Poetic Music 9-2 (11-0) Raced in 4th, went 3rd after 3 out, well held when mistake last, 3rd of 7, 11 1/2l behind Luccia (11-0) at Newbury 2m lst (1) gd in Nov.
