led until 5th, soon led again, headed 7th, every chance 4 out, weakened 2 out
held up towards rear, dived at 1st, not fluent 3rd, headway 9th, went 2nd 3 out, led next, clear from last, easily
tracked leader, led 5th, soon headed, led again 7th, headed before 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
soon mid-division, pushed along 5th, lost place next, behind when not fluent 9th
tracked leaders, jumped left 4th, lost place before 9th, well beaten after 11th, pulled up before 4 out
held up in rear, headway 11th, pecked 4 out, close 3rd when mistake 2 out, no chance with winner flat, went 2nd close home
mid-division, not fluent 1st or 5th, headway 7th, led 4 out, headed 2 out, no chance with winner flat, lost 2nd close home
tracked leaders, challenged 8th, led before 4 out, soon headed, no extra when not fluent last
Nonrunner
Carhue Princess was well beaten at Bangor after winning at Towcester and is probably high enough in the weights now. But this won't take much winning and Tom Symonds' mare has to go on the short-list. Thinger Licht has been disappointing overall but his latest third at Towcester was a glimmer of light and ETANIA will have needed her comeback at Ludlow. The latter was second twice over fences in the summer so gets a tentative vote, though wouldn't want any more rain. Toowomba has a bit of scope and old Mister Wiseman is still capable on his day but the fact that Rebel High is still a maiden after 32 starts under Rules says it all.
Mister Wiseman 4-1 (11-8) Struggling in 5th going to 3 out, tailed off and pulled up 3 out, in a race won by Venetian Lad (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec, 5 ran.
Toowoomba (IRE) 9-2 (10-6) Held up behind in touch, chased leaders 5 out, one pace when went right 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 10, 29l behind It's A Steal (11-4) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Dec.
Wolf Hall (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Soon led, narrowly headed when blundered and unseated rider 11th, in a race won by Ballybough Andy (11-12) at Huntingdon 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Dec, 9 ran.
Thinger Licht (FR) 9-2 (11-7) Held up behind, headway 3 out, soon ridden to chase leaders, went 2nd next, no chance with winner after, lost modest 2nd near finish, 3rd of 8, 13l behind Wicklewood (11-2) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp 0-100 (5) sft in Dec.
Carhue Princess (IRE) 11-4 (9-9) Led to 4 out, ridden and lost 2nd after next, no chance with front pair before 2 out, 3rd of 4, 20l behind Golden Sparkle (11-7) at Bangor 2m 4f (4) hvy in Dec.
Etania 6-1 (11-0) Behind, modest 6th when stumbled 4 out, never involved, 6th of 9, 42l behind Rio Milan (11-10) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.
Thom Thumb (IRE) 28-1 (10-11) Led, not fluent 10th, headed 4 out, weakened before 2 out, tailed off, 5th of 7, well behind Horatio Hornblower (10-9) at Towcester 2m 6f beg chs (4) gs in Dec.
Rebel High (IRE) 6-1 (10-0) Tracked leader, lost place when left 3rd 4 out, ridden after next, kept on same pace, left 2nd at last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Snowell (11-8) at Leicester 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.
Thedreamstillalive (IRE) 2-1 (9-11) Led, not fluent 8th, headed 3 out, led again 2 out, just held on, won at Leicester 2m 4f Am hcp ch 0-100 (5) sft in Mar beating Cool Bob (11-0) by ns, 4 ran.
