chased winner 4th, mistake 5th,close 2nd when blundered 4 out, soon ridden, weakened after 3 out
in touch, blundered 3rd, blundered and problem with bridle 6th, soon pulled up
held up, headway 8th, pushed along after 13th, weakened 4 out
chased leaders, lost place 4th, headway 9th, mistake and lost place 10th, rallied approaching 3 out, ridden to chase winner approaching 2 out, no impression
chased winner to 4th, not fluent and reminder 8th, mistake and weakened 13th
made all, left clear 4 out, eased flat
Neysauteur, Toms Gone Grey and Meehan are the three to look at here and Neysauteur is the selection. Toms Gone Grey won three times here two seasons ago and had been off the course for eighteen months before his two outings this season. Pulled up on his first run in a good contest, he shaped much better last time, finishing a decent third. He is clearly returning to form, and the handicapper has also eased him a couple of pounds so he should not be discounted. Meehan has won three of his last five starts and that includes a win last time on his first outing for three months. He has been raised eight pounds for that win and he may find that is too much against these rivals. Neysauteur looks the one to beat though. He has been in excellent form this season, winning two of his three races by wide margins. He has been raised seven pounds for his latest win at Ascot and although he was a beaten odds on favourite at Uttoxeter in between times Neysauteur looks likely to win again.
Neysauteur (FR) 2-1jt-fav (11-12) Tracked leader, slow jump 7th, left clear 9th, unchallenged, won at Ascot 3m nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov beating Ca Na Trona (11-0) by 22l, 5 ran.
Laskari (FR) 16-1 (11-2) Behind, well tailed off 4 out, stayed on under pressure from next, kept on run-in to press for 3rd near finish, never nearer, 4th of 10, 7l behind Full House (11-5) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (C) gd in Apr '05.
Martha's Kinsman (IRE) 15-2 (10-5) Chased leaders, ridden after 4 out, weakened 3 out, 7th of 10, 24l behind Darby Wall (11-1) at Cheltenham 3m amt hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Nov.
Would You Believe 11-4fav (11-12) Held up, headway 8th, ridden and every chance 2 out, weakened last, 2nd of 9, 11l behind Jonny's Kick (10-12) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Jun.
Toms Gone Grey (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, chased leaders from 4 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 8, 26l behind Hiers De Brouage (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Nov.
King Coal (IRE) 6-1 (10-4) In touch, hit 4th, mistake 7th, ridden 12th, plugged on for poor 4th, 4th of 7, 11l behind Bishop's Bridge (11-0) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
Meehan (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Chased leader from 6th, led approaching 4 out, ridden 2 out, ran on, won at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Oct beating Casadei (10-5) by 1l, 10 ran.
