mistake first held up, headway 10th, tracked leader 3 out, soon ridden, chasing winner when hit last, kept one pace
tracked leaders, hit 8th, slow 11th, weakened 3 out, soon eased and pulled up
led, mistake 10th, headed 12th, tracked leaders, mistake 14th, weakened and pulled up 2 out
tracked leader, led 12th, propped on landing next, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on same pace
in rear, headway between 3 out and 2 out to chase leaders, 3 lengths down in 4th when fell 2 out
held up, headway after 3 out, left 4th 2 out, kept on same pace
held up, headway to 3rd 3 out, led and pecked on landing 2 out, ran on
close up, ridden along 12th, weakened and soon in rear 3 out, pulled up before next
close up, ridden and mistake 3 out, soon weakened and pulled up
Several of these were fancied last time but none managed justify market support. Bob Tucker has his sights lowered, however, and makes more appeal than Mudita Moment who is jumping fences late in life. Jazz Man might need this and Double Handful has an even longer absence to overcome. Mister Newby shaped nicely when second at Towcester, however, and Catching On has won off today's mark over hurdles. FERGAL MAEL DUIN's overall form over fences is decent and he's possibly been a bit unlucky so far. David Bridgwater's grey warrants one more chance against less-experienced rivals.
A Good Skin (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) In touch, ridden 3 out, weakened 2out, 7th of 11, 25l behind Alternatif (11-3) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Dec.
Bob Tucker (IRE) 9-4fav (10-9) Led until after 2nd, pressed leader, led again 13th, strongly pressed when mistake and headed last, lost 2nd after last, no impression on leading duo, weakened into 4th final 100 yards, 4th of 10, 14l behind Smiles For Miles (11-7) at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan.
Mudita Moment (IRE) 15-8fav (11-8) Tracked leading pair, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, kept on under pressure before next, one pace in 4th between last 2, no chance with leaders after, took modest 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 4, 20l behind Premier Portrait (11-1) at Towcester 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Dec.
Fergal Mael Duin 11-4fav (11-1) Tracked leaders, effort 3 out, ridden next, stayed on to take 2nd flat, no impression with winner, lost 2nd final stride, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Count Guido Deiro (11-2) at Lingfield 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec.
Mister Newby (IRE) 10-1 (10-9) Held up, headway 9th, hit 3 out, challenged after 3 out, no impression final 100 yards, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Horatio Hornblower (10-9) at Towcester 2m 6f beg chs (4) gs in Dec.
Double Handful (GER) 16-1 (11-2) Jumped right, tracked leaders, mistake 6th, outpaced 9th, stayed on again from 2 out, went 3rd before last, 3rd of 8, 8l behind Bellenos (11-5) at Ascot 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec '13.
Catching On (IRE) 13-2 (11-5) Towards rear, weakened from 6 out, 6th of 9, 38l behind Clondaw Knight (11-11) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan.
Rio Milan (IRE) 9-1 (10-2) Led, headed 8 out, weakened before 4 out, 5th of 7, 34l behind Firebird Flyer (11-2) at Ludlow 3m Am hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Jan.
Jazz Man (IRE) 7-2fav (10-10) In touch on outside, mistake 2nd, lost place 8th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up after 4 out, in a race won by Midnight Oscar (11-7) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Jul, 11 ran.
Accordingtojodie (IRE) 11-1 (11-12) In rear, ridden before 4 out, never dangerous, 5th of 7, 23l behind Achimota (11-8) at Doncaster 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Jan.
