prominent, mistake 14th, weakened after 3 out, pulled up before next
held up in rear and not jumped well, reminded 8th, behind when pulled up soon after 3 out
held up in touch, chased leaders and slow 13th, weakened after 3 out
led 2nd, not fluent 7th, headed 10th, remained prominent, weakened 13th, behind when hampered 16th, pulled up soon after 3 out
held up in rear, headway 12th, chasing leaders when fell 16th
held up in touch, pushed along 12th, not fluent 3 out, soon ridden to challenge, stayed on under pressure
behind when blundered and unseated rider 4th
behind, hampered 2nd, pulled up after 5th
led until 2nd, led again 10th, ridden after 3 out, hard pressed from last, headed and no extra towards finish
towards rear, slow 11th, hampered 16th, headway after 3 out, stayed on well, never nearer
mid-division, mistake 11th, behind when fell 14th
behind, headway 14th, mistake 3 out, driven and every chance next, stayed on under pressure to lead last strides
Noble Sham is the obvious one and is preferred to Ever So Slightly and Hello Bud. The selection was in the process of posting an improved performance when falling at the third last over this course and distance on Boxing Day. The handicapper has raised him by 2lbs for that run but it was his first attempt at this trip and only his second start over fences and there should be more to come providing he can post a clear round. Ever So Slightly showed definite promise over hurdles for Sue Smith whenever he encountered soft ground and a test of stamina so today's conditions should prove to be ideal for the gelding as he makes his chase bow. It would be no surprise if he turned out to be well handicapped on his hurdles form and his chance is respected. The likes of Mag Num and Rowley Hill aren't dispensed with completely this afternoon and an eye needs to be kept on the market. One of those with more obvious claims is Hello Bud who ran well enough at Towcester last time; he doesn't have too many miles on the clock and could get into the shake-up. However, for the winner, we return to Noble Sham.
Mag Num (FR) 9-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, not fluent 2nd, pushed along approaching 7th, headway 8th, weakened 3 out, 9th of 13, 36l behind Glen Omen (11-6) at Warwick 3m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Ever So Slightly (IRE) 9-4jt-fav (9-12) Behind, outpaced halfway, soon made headway, 4th of 7, 41l behind Kadount (11-5) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in May.
Rowley Hill 2-1fav (11-11) Mid-division, ridden after 9th, weakened after 13th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by River Indus (10-6) at Exeter 2m 7f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec, 13 ran.
Billesey (IRE) 25-1 (12-0) Prom til wknd 4 out, 5th of 6, 29l behind Ballylusky (12-7) at Cottenham 3m ptp gd in Dec.
Noble Sham 6-1 (11-11) Mid-division, hampered 2nd, headway 13th, hit 4 out, upsides winner when fell 3 out in race won by Carnt Spell (10-0) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Dec, 16 ran.
Ice And Soda (IRE) 40-1 (10-11) Prominent, led 2nd, headed after 8th, mistake 15th, weakened after 3 out, went moderate 3rd after 2 out, blundered last, 3rd of 6, 26l behind That Look (10-11) at Huntingdon 3m nov chs (3) gd in Oct.
Ortega (FR) 22-1 (11-0) Towards rear, under pressure halfway, behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Kathleens Pride (10-9) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Dec, 15 ran.
Port Of Mogan (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Pressed leader, jumped right 2nd, led 4th to 6th, weakened after 3 out, 12th of 18, 33l behind Mendosino (10-11) at Warwick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Nov.
Raki Rose 12-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, led 12th, headed 15th, outpaced 4 out, stayed on flat, 2nd of 12, 14l behind Ashwell (11-7) at Ludlow 3m cnd hcp chs (5) gs.
Radnor Lad 25-1 (11-3) Led to 1st, chased leader until weakened 6th, 8th of 19, 48l behind Amber Brook (10-9) at Exeter 2m 6f amt hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Dec.
Shannons Boy (IRE) 80-1 (11-0) Mid-division, jumped right 5th, headway 8th, behind when pulled up 5 out in race won by Le Briar Soul (10-11) at Chepstow 3m beg chs (4) sft in Dec, 14 ran.
Hello Bud (IRE) 15-2 (10-11) In touch, ridden to chase leaders 12th, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 13, 14l behind Maori Legend (10-4) at Towcester 3m chs 0-90 (5) sft in Dec.
Carriage Ride (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Made most to 14th, pecked 4 out, soon outpaced, 4th of 7, 14l behind Hill Forts Henry (9-7) at Plumpton 3m 2f nov hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Oct '06.
