led, headed after 2nd, hit 4th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
behind, mistake 1st, headway after 7th, ridden and one pace from 3 out
held up and keen, headway approaching 3rd, led 5th, mistake 8th, headed 2 out, soon ridden, weakened flat
in touch, led 2 out, clear last, ridden out
prominent and keen, led after 2nd, headed 4th, weakened after 7th
mid-division, headway 4th, lost place 5th, rallied approaching last, stayed on flat, no chance with winner
always towards rear, mistake 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
prominent, led 4th to 5th, mistake next, ridden and every chance 3 out, weakened 2 out
A tough race to solve and Copper Bay is given the tentative vote ahead of Salhood and Desert Secrets. Copper Bay was well punted ahead of his most recent start over course-and-distance and with the second running well since, there is certainly a solid look to the form. Salhood has taken on much better opposition than this in the past but he is something of a reluctant hero when the going gets tougher and it could be worthwhile opposing. Desert Secrets was able to make full use of the four-year-old's allowance to land a novice event but more will be required in handicap company. Eleazer ran a poor race at Cheltenham and is surely much better than the bare form suggests. Charmahal has always looked like a chaser in the making so his supporters will be hoping that he can leave his hurdling form behind.Honey's Gift had some useful hurdling form earlier in her career but she is dropped markedly in trip on introduction to the bigger obstacles. Copper Bay looks to be still capable of improvement and a chance is taken in a difficult race despite the low turnout.
Salhood 4-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, hit 6th and 9th, chased winner 4 out until next, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 12l behind Roman Ark (11-9) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft.
Eleazar (GER) 7-1 (11-7) Mid-division, weakened 5th, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Tipperary All Star (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl 0-115 (3) gs in Nov, 20 ran.
Albarino (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Held up, struggling from approaching 4 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Jarro (10-11) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Oct, 9 ran.
Copper Bay (IRE) 4-5fav (11-1) Chased leaders, left in lead 7th, ridden and hit last, ran on, won at Leicester 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd beating Digital Fortress (11-4) by 1l, 5 ran.
Honey's Gift 25-1 (10-12) Held up, never dangerous, 8th of 20, 32l behind From Dawn To Dusk (10-9) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in May.
Desert Secrets (IRE) 4-1 (10-2) Prominent, hit 5th, ridden approaching 3 out, led after 2 out, driven out, won at Leicester 2m mrs nov chs (4) gs in Nov beating Dalriath (10-7) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Charmahal (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Held up, effort 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 10, 29l behind Day To Remember (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs.
Ballyrainey (IRE) 10-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders, headway 3 out, ridden to lead last, kept on well, won at Folkestone 2m nov hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft beating Maclean (11-12) by 1l, 6 ran.
