led, ridden, headed 2 out, rallied to lead again by omitted last fence, stayed on
held up in rear, in touch, improved 3 out, led next, soon ridden, headed by omitted last fence, weakened final 100 yards
with winner, ridden 3 out, soon lost place
in touch, ridden 3 out, weakened from last
in touch, ridden 4 out, lost place, effort 2 out, stayed on to take 2nd final 100 yards
Mokum is the pick over Blunham Hill and Ashgreen. Just the five line up in this 0-115 contest, and on past form it appears as though Mokum has a cast-iron chance of returning to winning ways today. The ex-French gelding was having only his third outing for Tony Carroll when landing a class 3 contest off a mark of 100 here in December, coming late on the scene to outbattle Mandingo Chief who was racing off 116 that day. He also finished well ahead of the 129-rated Schu Schine when staying on behind Irish Rapture at Sandown last time, proving that he has the stamina required for today's task. This drop down to class 4 company should therefore be well within his grasp, and with conditions to suit, he is the one to beat. Blunham Hill will relish the underfoot terrain as well, but he has been out of form lately, while Ashgreen has struggled since going up the weights. Monteforte has topweight to overcome, but it would be no surprise if Mistress Nell were to figure off 10st 5lb. Mokum is very much the one to beat though, and is a confident selection.
Monteforte 8-1 (11-0) Tracked leader to 3rd, weakened 8th, mistake 10th, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Miko de Beauchene (11-0) at Chepstow 3m beg chs (4) gs in Oct, 7 ran.
Mokum (FR) 6-1 (10-2) Held up, headway 16th, went 2nd under pressure 3 out, no impression, 2nd of 7, 13l behind Irish Raptor (11-8) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft.
Ashgreen 4-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders, went 2nd and hit 14th, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, well behind Deferlant (10-10) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Blunham Hill (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Mid-division, lost place 5th, ridden 7th, behind from 9th, tailed off, 4th of 9, well behind Loulou Nivernais (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.
Mistress Nell 10-1 (11-12) Mid-division, ridden from 13th, stayed on to chase leading pair, 3rd of 16, 23l behind Gunship (10-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft.
