prominent, every chance approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
in touch, ridden 4 out, weakened after 3 out, behind when mistake last
mid-division, lost place 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, headway 6th, led 2 out, ridden and slight lead when blundered and unseated rider last
led, mistake 9th, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened quickly
held up, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, challenging when left in lead last, driven out
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
always behind
prominent, outpaced 7th, rallied 3 out, one pace when left 2nd last
held up, fell 1st
held up, stayed on from 2 out, slightly hampered last, took 3rd flat, never nearer
Nonrunner
Moor Spirit comes here bang in form and can land this handicap at the expense of Nagano, Terre de Java and Simoun. Having won three of his last four starts Moor Spirit is most certainly the form horse in the race. His seasonal reappearance was a winning one when beating Reivers Moon by a convincing five lengths and although he takes a further eight pounds hike in the weights we feel he is still on the upgrade. Ian Williams is winning with his stable cat at present and is represented by Nagano who won at Warwick in December before disappointing slightly at Plumpton last time out. If back to his best he is a danger to the selection. Terre de Java and Simoun both have past form to their names but are not well treated at present and need to show a little more encouragement in their game before there worth siding with. So for the winner we return to Moor Spirit.
Terre de Java (FR) 12-1 (10-4) In rear, mistake and unseated rider at the 3rd in race won by Almaydan (11-4) at Southwell 2m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Jan, 11 ran.
Encore Cadoudal (FR) 22-1 (10-8) Always behind, 10th of 11, 44l behind Barton Nic (10-0) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Jan.
Simoun (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) In touch until ridden approaching last, weakened flat, 3rd of 9, 14l behind Billyvoddan (11-12) at Leicester 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs in Jan.
Moor Spirit 11-1 (11-8) Tracked leader, led 7th, headed 2 out, rallied to lead flat, kept on, won at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Jan beating Reivers Moon (11-9) by 5l, 8 ran.
Jericho III (FR) 6-1 (10-5) Led and jumped right, headed 4th, weakened after next, tailed off when pulled up in race won by Tanikos (11-3) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Jan, 8 ran.
Executive Decision (IRE) 14-1 (10-1) Always behind, 9th of 12, 36l behind Dempsey (11-12) at Sandown 2m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Jan.
Powder Creek (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Mid-division, lost place 5th, soon pushed along, ridden 3 out, kept on from next, never troubled leaders, 6th of 9, 27l behind Miss Pross (10-6) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft.
Per Amore (IRE) 100-1 (10-13) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up at the 8th in race won by Sir Storm (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) sft in Dec, 13 ran.
Lamp's Return 9-2 (11-4) Led, hit 2nd, headed next, weakened 8th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Rubberdubber (11-8) at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Jan, 16 ran.
Nagano (FR) 11-10fav (11-7) Held up in touch, chased winner approaching 2 out, ridden and every chance last, weakened run-in and lost 3rd near finish, 4th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Silistra (10-7) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (E) sft in Dec.
Lord Gunnerslake (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Mid-division, headway 8th, ridden after 3 and every chance after 3 out, hit 2 out, weakening when hit last, 3rd of 8, 9l behind Caribbean Cove (11-2) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
L'Oiseau (FR) 13-2 (11-12) Held up in touch, ridden and weakened 8th pulled up 4 out in race won by Roofing Spirit (11-1) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-115 (D) gd in Nov, 5 ran.
Romany Dream 10-1 (10-0) Started slowly, behind, brief effort 6th, soon weakened, 7th of 8, well behind Tanikos (11-3) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Jan.
