held up in rear, jumped slowly 7th, headway after 4 out, chased leaders next, weakened before last
tracked leaders, mistake 8th, led approaching 3out, strongly challenged flat, held on gamely
held up in mid-division, mistake 3rd, jumped left throughout, headway 4 out, weakened before 2 out
held up mid-division, headway when hampered 3 out, soon chasing winner, hard ridden and every chance flat, just failed
prominant, mistake 12th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before last
held up in rear, fell 9th
held up in touch, headway approaching 8th, soon chasing leaders, under pressure 12th, soon weakened, pulled up soon after
led, jumped left throughout, headed approaching 3out, soon weakened
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Cool Friend and Oracle Des Mottes should go close but a chance is taken on WEE ROBBIE. Cool Friend has taken well to fences and has lost nothing in defeat behind a smart rival the last twice, her handicap mark is fair and she's capable of running a big race in this company. Oracle Des Mottes doesn't win very often but he is consistent, has been given a chance by the handicapper and was a long way in front of Babe Heffron last time which gives him leading claims. Noun De La Thinte has enjoyed a fantastic season and has been freshened up by a short break; she may not be done with yet despite being 8lbs higher than when last seen. Soixante, The Hollow Bottom, Wee Robbie and Sharp Rigging all have plenty to prove at present but none of the four could be confidently dismissed and we are in fact going to take a chance with Nick Gifford's runner. He has had problems with injury during his career but he was good enough to beat Mahogany Blaze in his prime when rated about 20lbs higher and he ran well enough in the AON to believe that he retains the ability to go close from his current mark.
Oracle des Mottes (FR) 13-2 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway 10th, not fluent when left 2nd 2 out, not fluent last, no impression flat, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Montgermont (11-12) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs.
Soixante (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Awkward 1st, chased leader, led 8th, blundered and headed 4 out, not fluent and lost 2nd 3 out, finished tired, 3rd of 15, 15l behind Richard's Sundance (11-9) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Jan.
Sharp Rigging (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 8th of 12, 28l behind Balzaccio (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
Wee Robbie 66-1 (11-0) Raced wide, close up, not fluent 6th, weakened 4 out, 5th of 6, 33l behind Tricky Trickster (11-3) at Newbury 3m chs Grd 2 (1) gs.
Noun De La Thinte (FR) 6-4fav (10-5) Led to 3rd, pressed winner until ridden and weakened after 3 out, kept on flat, no impression, 2nd of 4, 2 1/2l behind Khachaturian (11-9) at Bangor 2m 4f nov hcp chs (3) hvy.
William Bonney (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Chased leaders in 4th until dropped to rear 5th, soon lost touch, tailed off, last of 8, well behind Pret A Thou (11-1) at Lingfield 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy.
The Hollow Bottom 8-1 (11-11) Prominent, not fluent and reminders 4th, reminders and lost place after 9th, behind after, 4th of 7, 28l behind Just Smudge (11-4) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Babe Heffron (IRE) 3-1fav (10-10) Led to 5th, led after next until before omitted 3 out, 4th when hampered and left 3rd 2 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 9, 21l behind Montgermont (11-12) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs.
Cool Friend (IRE) 9-4 (10-12) Tracked leaders, every chance 2 out, held when blundered last, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Carole's Legacy (11-10) at Ffos Las 3m mrs nov chs (5yo+) (4) gs in Jan.
Mister Quasimodo 15-2 (11-0) Held up, pushed along and quickly weakened 3rd, tailed off, 13th of 15, well behind Classic Dream (10-11) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
