in rear, reminders after 5th, ridden 8th, outpaced from 3 out
held up, mistake 8th, ridden and reluctant 4 out, left 3rd at last
with leader, led 6th, ridden and left clear last
in touch, ridden, mistake and weakened 9th
led, ridden and headed 6th, weakened 8th, behind and pulled up 2 out
held up in rear, ridden and headway 9th, left 2nd at last, hung right and kept on one pace flat
chased leaders, chased winner 4 out, with winner and every chance last, when fell
Nonrunner
Gypsy Cricketer, Elgar and Adecco are the three for the shortlist and our selection is Gypsy Cricketer. Michael Scudamore's charge has been around the block but he seems to have had something of a renaissance since connections have switched to more aggressive tactics and it could be worth a chance that a similar ride could warrant dividends on this occasion. Ex-Scudamore inmate, Elgar, won a selling chase last time out but nobody seemed interesting in the subsequent auction and this is a step up in class. Adecco has ability although his good runs have been outnumbered of late by his bad ones. This is a modest race and he would not be completely out of the equation. In Extra Time makes his first run in handicap company so the market is watched closely. Major Blade hasn't scored yet under National Hunt rules and is avoided. Fleurette should have come on for her first start and is interestingly dropped in trip while Pauntley Gofa has shown little sparkle of late. Gypsy Cricketer looks the percentage call in a modest race and we will nominate him accordingly.
Fleurette 7-1 (11-9) Mid-division, headway to go 2nd 7th to 9th, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 7, 16l behind What'sonyourmind (10-2) at Towcester 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Nov.
Adecco (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) Keen, held up, ridden 8th, went 3rd 2 out, weakened flat, 4th of 7, 7l behind Gipsy Cricketer (10-9) at Fakenham 2m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Nov.
Elgar 11-2 (11-12) Held up in touch, steady headway from 10th, left in lead 4 out and hampered, clear 2 out, kept on, won at Chepstow 2m 3f sll hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs in Nov beating Anflora (10-10) by 8l, 9 ran.
Gipsy Cricketer 3-1 (10-9) In touch, left in lead after 4 out, headed briefly after last, stayed on, won at Fakenham 2m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Nov beating Beau Torero (10-8) by a nk, 7 ran.
Pauntley Gofa 50-1 (10-5) Led to 9th, stayed in touch until weakened before 3 out, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Carnt Spell (10-5) at Towcester 2m 3f chs 0-95 (5) sft in Nov, 10 ran.
In Extra Time (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 12th of 19, 28l behind Spear Thistle (10-12) at Leicester 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Major Blade (GER) 7-1 (10-1) Held up in touch, outpaced approaching 3 out, soon no impression, 3rd of 7, 11l behind Flake (11-12) at Catterick 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Nov.
Suprendre Espere 8-1 (10-12) Mid-division when fell at the 8th in race won by Carnt Spell (10-5) at Towcester 2m 3f chs 0-95 (5) sft in Nov, 10 ran.
Ground Breaker 80-1 (11-2) Led, headed after 1st, remained in touch until weakened after 7th, 4th of 6, well behind Twist Magic (10-5) at Fakenham 2m nov chs (3) gs.
