chased leader, ridden to challenge after 3 out, mistake 2 out, soon weakened
keen, in touch, fell 3rd
close up, led soon after 3 out, shaken up flat, ran on
tracked leaders, hit 4th, lost place next, weakened 3 out
led, clear 4th, joined 9th, ridden and headed after 3 out, kept on under pressure
held up in rear, mistakes 7th, 11th and 4 out, behind when pulled up 2 out
held up, headway 10th, ridden and outpaced before 2 out, stayed on flat
held up mid-division, hampered 3rd, slow 10th, ridden and headway 3 out, every chance last, weakened flat
Handy Money is taken to get the better of Big Rob and Blairgowrie in a competitive handicap chase. The selection looked a chaser to stay on the right side of when winning here last time. He jumped really well that day and relished this sound surface and he looks the obvious one to beat. Big Rob showed plenty of promise last season but his jumping was not always the most fluent and his best form is over a longer trip. Blairgowrie won well when last seen out at Ayr back in March but he was given a soft lead that day and he is another that does not always look the most fluent over the fences. Master Papa would have claims on his best form and with the useful Phil Kinsella taking off a handy 5lbs he could go well at a price, but for the winner we are happy to stick with Handy Money.
Bonus Bridge (IRE) 8-1 (11-11) Prominent, not fluent 9th, weakened approaching 4 out, well behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Rookery Lad (11-0) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gf in Jun, 10 ran.
Handy Money 3-1fav (11-0) Chased leader until 4th, driven out, won at Huntingdon 2m beg chs (3) gd in May beating Carthys Cross (11-0) by 5l, 8 ran.
Big Rob (IRE) 11-4 (11-5) Prominent and raced wide, led approaching 2nd, headed last, no extra flat, 2nd of 5, 2l behind Little Big Horse (11-8) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Mar.
Classic Capers 10-1 (11-3) In touch, not fluent 6th, pushed along 8th, weakened 5 out, last of 9, well behind Mandingo Chief (10-2) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Oct.
Kety Star (FR) 10-1 (11-2) Chased winner, not fluent 3rd, lost 2nd next, soon in last, struggling 8th, heavily eased flat, 4th of 5, well behind Cheeky Lad (9-13) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Sept.
Master Papa (IRE) 11-4fav (11-7) In touch, chased leaders 3 out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 9, 8l behind Appach (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Jun.
Spinaround 4-1fav (11-5) In touch, blundered 2nd, mistake 5th, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, clear last, ran on, won at Huntingdon 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Apr beating Cupla Cairde (10-1) by 12l, 12 ran.
Blairgowrie (IRE) 4-1 (10-13) Made all, hit 7th, clear 2 out, ran on well, won at Ayr 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Mar beating Tandava (11-2) by 10l, 7 ran.
