jumped left and raced on outside, led until 2nd, led 3rd, headed before 9th, ridden 13th, weakened before 4 out, pulled up before next
held up towards rear, headway approaching 10th, mistake 12th, ridden and struggling next, tailed off
mid-division, headway 11th, ridden before 4 out, no impression next
tracked leaders, challenged 13th, every chance before 3 out, no impression on winner next, stayed on same pace
pressed leader, jumped left at times, led 2nd until 3rd, led before 10th, hit 13th, clear 2 out, eased towards finish
held up, took keen hold, headway approaching 5th, lost place before 10th, well beaten 14th, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway 12th, went 4th 3 out, never on terms
tracked leaders, hampered 1st, 3rd and ridden when hit 3 out, went 2nd last, no impression on eased down winner
Plenty in with a chance in this but Rolling Aces was due to run at Wincanton yesterday while Spirit River has yet to reproduce his form over hurdles since tackling fences. Sizing Santiago and Our Bomber Harris are closely matched on Newbury running while Mister Hyde got back to winning ways at Market Rasen and Brackloon High and Politeo should be winning soon. BUFFALO BOB is the senior runner here and has been below par so far this term. But this is his ground and a sharp 3m should be right up his street - he could go close at generous odds in a competitive contest.
Spirit River (FR) 2-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, led next, headed towards finish, no extra, 2nd of 7, 2 1/2l behind So Fine (11-2) at Kempton 3m beg chs (4) sft in Nov.
Our Bomber Harris 12-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway 4 out, chasing leaders when blundered 2 out, kept on well, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Sizing Santiago (10-13) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Nov.
Brackloon High (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, blundered 8th, headway before 12th, chased leaders before 2 out, stayed on towards finish, just held, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind State Benefit (11-4) at Sandown 3m Amateur Handicap Chase (0-130) (4yo+) (3) sft.
Sizing Santiago (IRE) 9-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, slow 7th, led 3 out, hard ridden approaching last, stayed on well, won at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Nov beating Our Bomber Harris (11-7) by 1l, 11 ran.
Mister Hyde (IRE) 11-8fav (11-9) Close up, went 2nd 10th, ridden to challenge from 3 out, driven to lead near finish, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov beating Midnight Sail (11-12) by 1/2l, 4 ran.
Buffalo Bob (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Led or disputed lead to halfway, lost place 12th, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Quartz De Thaix (11-7) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov.
Politeo (FR) 12-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, hampered 1st, steady headway approaching 12th, led before 2 out, headed approaching last where mistake, weakened flat, 3rd of 9, 11l behind The Rainbow Hunter (11-12) at Ascot 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Nov.
Iona Days (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Always behind, 6th of 11, 22l behind Sizing Santiago (10-13) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Nov.
Rolling Aces (IRE) 4-1fav (11-12) Held up in touch, headway 12th, ridden 3 out, led narrowly between last 2, held on under pressure flat, won at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs beating Merry King (11-10) by 3/4l, 15 ran.
