mid-division, headway 9th, every chance 2 out, not quicken flat
held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden 2 out, not fluent last, kept on
held up in touch, ridden when not fluent 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
chased leaders, weakened 9th, mistake 10th, tailed off
prominent, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened before 2 out
mistakes, always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
always behind, tailed off from 8th
held up, ridden 7th, soon struggling, tailed off from 10th
led 2nd, headed before 3rd, chased leader after, led 4 out, ridden out
Kalca Mome gets the confident vote here with Hoo La Baloo and Almaydan rating the main dangers. The selection won well last time out when beating Bohamien Spirit and aklthough having a penalty for that win he looks sure to be suited by this longer trip and he will be hard to beat. Hoo La Baloo rates the main danger on his best form but he is best when allowed to dominate and as he looks sure to be taken on for the lead he looks worth taking on. Almaydan ran as if returning to form last time when third and off a handy mark he should be closely watched in the market. Iron Man looks weighted up to his best while Figaro du Rocher is better on a faster surface and with this in mind for the winner we return to Kalca Mome.
Hoo La Baloo (FR) 66-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, ridden and losing place when hampered 8th, no chance after, 5th of 7, 29l behind Kauto Star (11-7) at Sandown 2m chs Grd 1 (1) sft.
Kalca Mome (FR) 9-2 (11-1) Tracked leaders, hard ridden to challenge 2 out, led run-in, driven out, won at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs 0-150 (2) sft beating Bohemian Spirit (9-13) by 2l, 10 ran.
Iron Man (FR) 9-2 (11-10) Tracked leaders, led 4 out, ridden and headed approaching last, weakened run-in, 5th of 9, 10l behind Kitski (10-0) at Market Rasen 3m 1f hcp chs 0-140 (2) sft.
Simply Gifted 10-1 (11-12) Always towards rear, 9th of 11, 34l behind Barton Nic (10-0) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Jan.
Almaydan 16-1 (11-12) Led and soon clear, ridden 12th, headed 2 out, weakened flat, 3rd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Herecomestanley (10-0) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs.
Figaro du Rocher (FR) 7-1 (11-10) Led, ridden and headed after 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 8th of 13, 19l behind Templer (10-10) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Nov.
Portavadie 6-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, headed approaching last, weakened run-in, 5th of 6, 4 1/2l behind Tous Chez (10-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs.
Liverpool Echo (FR) 12-1 (11-5) Held up, ridden 15th, weakened 4 out, 6th of 11, 40l behind Harris Bay (11-1) at Ascot 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Nov.
Kosmos Bleu (FR) 12-1 (11-1) In touch, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, hit next, stayed on flat, nearest finish, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Umbrella Man (11-8) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov.
Kenzo Iii (FR) 20-1 (10-13) Pulled hard, led 2nd, blundered 10th, headed 14th, weakened quickly approaching 4 out and pulled up 3 out in race won by Red Devil Robert (11-3) at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-135 (C) gs in Apr '05, 10 ran.
