prominent, weakened 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
soon in touch, led 4 out, clear before next, 20 lengths ahead when fell last
took keen hold, disputing lead when went slightly left and unseated rider 1st
mid-division, headway after 5th, went 2nd before 3 out, 20 lengths adrift when left in lead last, stayed on
mid-division, hit 6th, ridden and dropped rear next, stayed on from 2 out
mid-division, headway 9th, ridden after 4 out, soon beaten, left 2nd last
chased leaders, led 6th, headed 10th, ridden after 4 out, beaten before next
mid-division, headway 7th, ridden and weakened after 10th
towards rear when blundered badly 1st, some headway 10th, soon no impression, behind when pulled up before 3 out
led to 6th, led 10th to 4 out, weakened next
held up in rear, stayed on from 2 out, never troubled leaders
mistake 4th, always in rear
prominent, weakened 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, ridden after 6th, mistake 9th, weakened 10th
in rear, jumped slowly 2nd, soon pushed along, always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
CONNY NOBEL was a ready winner at Chepstow on Saturday, and can follow up that success under a penalty, with the main dangers likely to be Carrickmines and Devils River. The track can suit front-runners, which was what Craig Roberts' gelding did at the weekend; the first time tongue tie helped and that stays in, and he's well in at the weights, despite the penalty. He handles the ground, and this looks a decent opportunity to quickly follow up that first success over fences. Carrickmines will appreciate the step back up in trip, and will cope with it being soft underfoot, but has yet to win a race, despite always being competitive. Devils River should be at the vanguard early on, but going too quickly too soon last time out cost him a place at a big price. A little more patience this time could bring overdue rewards. In a field lacking much quality, there could be some each-way value to be had, with joint bottom weight Fight The Feeling having tumbled down the ratings capable of getting a place if repeating the form of a few years ago. It's a poor contest though, which we think can be won by Conny Nobel.
Elgar 16-1 (11-11) In touch early, steadied after 2nd, headway approaching 5th, weakened after 7th, blundered badly 3 out and pulled up 4 out in race won by Lescer's Lad (10-9) at Towcester 2m cnd hcp chs (5) hvy in Jan, 14 ran.
Come Out Firing (IRE) 16-1 (10-8) Prominent, ridden and chased leader after 4 out, weakened 3 out, 4th of 15, 33l behind Solid As A Rock (10-2) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.
Carrickmines (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, ridden 3 out, no impression, 4th of 12, 8l behind Wondersobright (10-13) at Plumpton 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) hvy.
Cusp 12-1 (11-4) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Outside Investor (10-6) at N Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Jul, 16 ran.
Mickwell Bay 8-1 (11-8) In touch, weakened 7th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Shelomoh (11-8) at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Jan, 11 ran.
Phoenix Eye 40-1 (10-0) In touch, weakened after 4 out, 9th of 10, well behind Pret A Thou (11-0) at Hereford 2m nov hcp chs (4) sft.
Lord Alphieross (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Held up, in touch, lost place 3rd, mistake and weakened 7th, 4th of 11, 23l behind Aheadofhistime (11-7) at Chepstow 2m cnd hcp chs (5) hvy in Jan.
Lady Malousa 14-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, held when badly hampered and unseated rider 3 out in race won by Pearl (10-13) at Chepstow 2m mrs hcp hdl (5) hvy in Jan, 16 ran.
Conny Nobel (IRE) 14-1 (10-5) Mid-division, headway 3rd, led 3 out, soon clear, easily, won at Chepstow 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft beating Tarsus (11-3) by 14l, 14 ran.
Devils River (IRE) 28-1 (10-13) Always prominent, led approaching 2 out, soon ridden, headed flat, no extra, 4th of 14, 5l behind Lescer's Lad (10-9) at Towcester 2m cnd hcp chs (5) hvy in Jan.
Day du Roy (FR) 28-1 (10-2) Held up towards rear, chased leaders 5 out, weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 10, 31l behind Roznic (11-12) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
Bob's Temptation 10-1 (10-6) Held up well in rear, headway 4 out, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 3rd of 16, 13l behind Kinkeel (10-2) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs (5) sft in Jan.
Mystic King 13-2 (10-0) Behind when pulled up at the 5th in race won by Ask The Umpire (10-5) at Towcester 2m cnd hcp chs (5) hvy in Jan '08, 14 ran.
Vanormix (FR) 150-1 (11-0) Mid-division, ridden and lost touch 8th, behind when pulled up in race won by Fair Point (11-0) at Taunton 2m 7f beg chs (4) hvy, 9 ran.
Fight The Feeling 12-1 (9-12) Mid-division, headway approaching 8th, weakened approaching 10th, 5th of 15, 32l behind Jackella (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs in May.
