chased leaders, led 7th, pegged next, headed 10th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
in touch, mistake 10th, 4th and 3 lengths down when blundered badly and lost place 4 out, mistake last, kept on flat
prominent, led 10th, ridden after 2 out, edged left after last, headed towards finish
mid-division, headway after 5th, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out
with leader, led 6th to 7th, weakening when hit 10th, behind when pulled up before 4 out
mid-division, reminder after 3rd, mistake 4th, weakened next
mid-division, headway 10th, went 2nd approaching 3 out, ridden and 4 lengths down when blundered 2 out, weakened approaching last
behind, headway 10th, ridden 4 out, soon weakened
behind, hit 4th, blundered 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 9th
mid-division, weakening when mistake 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
led after 1st, headed 6th, weakened 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, ridden after 10th, headway 3 out, stayed on to lead towards finish
held up, ridden and headway 3 out, weakened 2 out
Nonrunner
John Diamond rates as a speculative pick ahead of Bay Island and Mr Splodge. John Diamond is held in high regard within the Henrietta Knight stable and while his latest run was disappointing, it is hoped that the application of cheekpieces might spark a quick return to form. Bay Island is a solid jumper but probably found the easy going against him at Towcester on his most recent start. Mr Splodge is enjoying something of an Indian summer but would not want any further give in the ground. Mandingo Chief has ability although he has struggled with his fencing. Master Papa stays this trip well and as an inmate of an unfashionable yard, he may be offered at much bigger odds than his form entitles. Venetia Williams' yard continues in form although Magico would need to return his best in order to pick up this prize. Laskari possesses ability but ran lifelessly on seasonal reappearance. A tough race to puzzle through but that's how it should be given the prize money and John Diamond is afforded as the recommendation.
Magico (NZ) 9-2 (10-13) Chased leader, led 7th until before 3 out, one pace flat, 3rd of 16, 6l behind Hello It's Me (10-10) at Ludlow 2m 5f amt hcp hdl (4) gs.
Mandingo Chief (IRE) 11-1 (10-13) Led until blundered and unseated rider at the 8th in race won by Another Promise (11-12) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft, 9 ran.
Master Papa (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) Held up in touch, not fluent and weakened approaching 4 out, 5th of 6, well behind Roman Ark (11-9) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft.
Mr Splodge 7-1 (11-5) Son prominent, led briefly 8th, then again 9th, hit 3 out, left clear 2 out eased flat, won at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Nov beating Blue Sovereign (10-2) by 7l, 10 ran.
Regal Term (IRE) 66-1 (11-2) Behind from 5th, tailed off and pulled up at the 8th in race won by Whereareyounow (10-5) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cnd hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft, 12 ran.
Bay Island (IRE) 9-4jt-fav (10-13) Prominent, ridden to chase winner approaching 2 out, weakened last, 4th of 5, 31l behind The Outlier (11-9) at Towcester 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Nov.
Nawow 7-2jt-fav (11-4) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, soon ridden, one pace from next, 7th of 13, 10l behind Almizan (11-9) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Nov.
John Diamond (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, weakened after 4 out, behind when mistake last, 5th of 8, 17l behind Bishop's Bridge (11-8) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Nov.
