mid-division, headway 9th, hampered 12th, slightly outpaced approaching 3 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out
held up in mid-division, headway when mistake 7th, soon given reminders, struggling 9th, pulled up before 11th
in touch, hit 6th, jumped slowly 9th (water), stayed on same pace from 3 out
chased leaders, ridden after 4 out, weakened after 2 out
held up and behind, not fluent 2nd, taken wide approaching 8th, headway from 4 out, not on terms, stayed on flat, never dangerous
behind, pushed along after 4th, still in 10th position and well adrift 14th, headway from 3 out, led last, stayed on well
always prominent, every chance 3 out, one pace from 2 out
mid-division, reminders after 8th, soon struggling
held up, headway 9th, weakened 4 out
led to 13th, ridden 14th, weakened approaching 3 out
soon with leader, led 13th, ridden along from 3 out, headed last, one pace
slowly away, mistakes, always behind, tailed off then pulled up before 4 out
in touch until weakened approaching 9th, soon behind, tailed off
A wide open contest rounds off the card and many would have chances on their best form but the principals look to be Strolling Vagabond, Casalani and Little Villain and the narrow nomination is given to Casalani. The selection won well last time when beating Bronson F'sure and although rising in the weights he again has conditions to suit and he looks a value bet. Strolling Vagabond rates the main danger as he also won well last time when beating Ah Jim Lad but he is rising in the weights and is dropping in trip and at the likely odds he looks worth taking on. Little Villain is another that could go well on his latest second behind Star Angler but the step up in trip has to be of concern. Monsieur Georges is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but he is rising in the weights without winning and looks vulnerable with this in mind. Of the remainder, Fisherman Jack has never won off a mark this high and for the winner we return to Cassalani.
Iloveturtle (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Held up, headway 10th, blundered 4 out, weakening when blundered 3 out, 6th of 15, well behind Fisherman Jack (10-0) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy in Jan.
Peveril Pride 3-1fav (11-1) Close up, hit 5th and next, led 8th to 12th, weakened before 4 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Strolling Vagabond (10-12) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft in Jan, 11 ran.
Monsieur Georges (FR) 7-1 (10-6) With leader, led 3rd, hit 8th, headed next, led after 3 out, headed before 2 out, blundered last, one pace, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Jacarado (10-5) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Dec.
Carnt Spell 10-1 (11-4) Held up, chased leaders approaching 10th, in 2nd when blundered and unseated rider 5 out in race won by Casalani (11-1) at Southwell 3m hcp chs (5) sft in Jan, 10 ran.
Full On 15-2 (10-1) Towards rear, headway 10th, led 5 out, headed 2 out, one pace, 2nd of 14, 5l behind Cinnamon Line (11-1) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Dec.
Casalani (IRE) 9-1 (11-1) Held up, headway 11th, led 3 out, driven out, won at Southwell 3m hcp chs (5) sft in Jan beating Bronson F'sure (10-13) by 3l, 10 ran.
Amber Light (IRE) 5-1 (11-1) Led to 4th, led after 5th to 6th, weakened 7th, behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Topless (11-12) at Taunton 3m mrs hcp hdl (5) gs, 9 ran.
Strolling Vagabond (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) In touch, driven along from 14th, chased leaders after 3 out, driven to lead last, kept on well flat, won at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft in Jan beating Jim Lad (10-6) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Little Villain (IRE) 6-1 (9-9) Led to 3rd, with leader, led again 8th, clear from 4 out until approaching last, no extra and headed final 75 yards, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Star Angler (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) hvy in Jan.
Apple Joe 11-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, driven along 4 out, mistake, weakened 3 out, 4th of 8, 34l behind Another Conquest (10-7) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft.
Fisherman Jack 7-4fav (10-12) Held up mid-division, ridden 9th, headway 14th, stayed on from 3 out, 4th of 10, 5l behind Casalani (11-1) at Southwell 3m hcp chs (5) sft in Jan.
Water Pistol 20-1 (11-2) Mid-division, ridden and struggling before 6th, tailed off, 9th of 12, well behind Norton Sapphire (11-10) at Huntingdon 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Jan.
Heartofmidlothian (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) In touch, driven along and lost place 9th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up after 11th pulled up at the 12th in race won by Optimistic Alfie (10-11) at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs in Jan, 9 ran.
