COME ON CHARLIE folded rather tamely when challenged last time at Catterick but was giving 17lb, including allowances, to the winner and the boot is on the other foot here as he gets 13lb and upwards from his 10 rivals. Deebaj may be the danger as he’s run well in all three starts this campaign, though has gone up another 5lb since his third at Uttoxeter. Antunes won at Uttoxeter last month but failed to cope with a step up to this grade here next time and Mad Jack Mytton, though well treated, has become disappointing. Judge Earle ran poorly last time at Chepstow and Regulation has been running in sellers but Sleepy Haven is capable when in the mood.
Townshend (GER) 10-1 (10-8) Led and soon joined, headed before 2 out, stayed on same pace, 4th of 12, 15l behind Coeur Blimey (10-5) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Doubly Clever (IRE) 20-1 (11-9) Held up in last, behind before 4th, closed 6th, no impression when left 3rd from 3 out, 3rd of 5, 8l behind Trans Express (11-0) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Envol De La Cour (FR) 20-1 (11-2) Slight lead until 4th, chased leader until before 3 out, soon outpaced, plugged on, 4th of 6, 19l behind Cliffs Of Dover (11-12) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Jaisalmer (IRE) 16-1 (11-13) In rear, pitched on landing 4th, not fluent next, last 8th, well behind after, 8th of 11, dist behind The Kings Writ (11-11) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Mad Jack Mytton (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Off the pace in 4th after 2nd, ridden 3 out, not fluent 2 out, no chance with winner, one pace, 4th of 8, 24 3/4l behind Turning Gold (11-7) at Leicester 2m hcp (3) gd in Jan.
Antunes 4-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and weakened before next, 5th of 11, 13l behind Ar Mest (11-2) at Leicester 2m hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Sleepy Haven (IRE) 10-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 7, 13 3/4l behind Azari (9-8) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Jan.
Regulation (IRE) 10-3 (11-6) Chased leaders, went 2nd from 2nd, led before 3 out, headed 2 out, led again flat, stayed on, won at Leicester 2m 4f (4) gd in Jan beating Oscar Hoof (11-6) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Deebaj (IRE) 9-4fav (11-6) Held up towards rear on outside, not fluent 8th and pushed along, headway before 3 out, close 3rd when mistake last, stayed on, 3rd of 13, nk behind Lord Getaway (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Judge Earle (IRE) 25-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, lost place 7th, well beaten before 4 out, 13th of 14, dist behind Django Django (11-8) at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Come On Charlie (FR) 11-8 (11-8) Led, went right 3 out, pushed along and joined 2 out, ridden and headed between last 2, no extra, mistake last, 2nd of 4, 13l behind Uno Mas (10-10) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (4) gd in Jan.
