led, headed 4 out, weakened between last 2
tracked leader, led 4 out, clear approaching last, headed flat, kept on
held up, headway 5th, pushed along approaching 3 out, ridden and effort next, one pace under pressure
towards rear, fell 5th
held up towards rear, headway to track leaders 4 out, lost place next, rallied between last 2, led flat, kept on
mid-division, headway 4 out, soon ridden, 3 lengths down in 4th, when blundered and unseated rider 3 out
in touch, pushed along 4 out, outpaced next
tracked leaders, fell 8th
Hollows Mist has a penalty for his win at Newcastle last week and whilst he needs to prove that the success was no fluke, he is taken to win again at the main expense of Kalmo Bay. Proven on this ground, the selection showed a good attitude when able to battle back for victory last time. That was his first try at this sort of trip when the ground has been fast and whilst it would be unwise to jump in with both feet, the confidence-boosting win could spark some more success. Topinambour was disappointing at Cheltenham last time out but may have just been outclassed as he stepped up in trip and now dropped back to a more suitable distance he is not one to take lightly. Kalmo Bay is a recruit from France and whilst he hasn't shown much ability in his British starts to date, he cannot be overlooked. Cash On Friday was well held when last seen and he is prone to the odd mistake, whilst the same applies to Sue Smiths' Something Gold. Moor Spirit is returning from an absence but cannot be ruled out, however it is Hollows Mist who can win again.
Topinambour (FR) 14-1 (10-2) Mid-division, went 2nd 10th, mistake 12th, challenged 15th, blundered and weakened 3 out, 8th of 14, 38l behind Mister Apple's (9-7) at Cheltenham 3m 1f amt hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Oct.
Moor Spirit 12-1 (11-12) Led, headed 2nd, mistake and lost place 6th, 7th of 10, 30l behind Ground Breaker (11-1) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.
Something Gold (FR) 10-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway approaching 6th, weakened after 3 out, 4th when fell 2 out in race won by Randolph O'Brien (11-2) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Oct, 13 ran.
Wild Chimes (IRE) 66-1 (11-12) Held up, mistake 5th, struggling 8th, left poor 4th 2 out, tailed off, 4th of 9, well behind Bermuda Pointe (10-11) at Towcester 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Oct.
Kalmo Bay (FR) 7-1 (10-13) Held up and behind, not fluent 2nd, some headway 6th, struggling from 8th, tailed off, 4th of 10, well behind Oscardeal (10-10) at Southwell 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf in Mar.
Cash On Friday 13-2 (11-5) Towards rear and mistakes, never dangerous, 10th of 16, 46l behind Lawaaheb (11-8) at Wetherby 2m 7f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gf in Oct.
Another Jameson (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Towards rear, headway 8th, chased leader 10th, no extra flat, 6th of 11, 13l behind Cash On Friday (10-12) at Kelso 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-90 (5) gf in Oct.
Hollows Mist 11-4fav (10-0) Mid-division, headway and in touch 9th, led 4 out, ridden and stayed on from next, just held on, won at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf beating Drumnavaddy Lough (10-10) by a nk, 11 ran.
