chased leaders, weakened 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
settled in 4th, headway 6th, went 2nd 8th, challenging when mistake 3 out, led narrowly last, shaken up and in command run-in, cleverly
led at start, led 3rd, ridden and narrowly headed last, no chance with winner run-in
set fast pace, led to 3rd, ridden and weakened before 3 out
held up, ridden to chase leading pair before 2 out, 3rd and beaten when jumped left last
held up in rear, ridden 6th, headway to chase leaders 4 out, weakened under pressure before 2 out
A small but select field for this handicap and we will side with Cossack Dancer, Jarro and Blairgownie look the obvious dangers. The selection improved on his debut run when chasing home Crossbow Creek in a decent race at Kempton. He made a couple of errors in that contest but still managed to get within five lengths of the winner. A similar effort today could surfice. Jarro finally hit winning form at Stratford last time and still looks on a decent mark. Meanwhile Blairgownie easily landed a beginners chase at the end of last season and could go close if fit following a summer holiday. Alrafid and Return Home can also be given a squeak and so in a wide open contest Cossack Dancer is just a sporting choice.
Blairgowrie (IRE) 4-1 (10-13) Made all, hit 7th, clear 2 out, ran on well, won at Ayr 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Mar beating Tandava (11-2) by 10l, 7 ran.
Alrafid (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Prominent, ridden behind leaders approaching 2 out, one pace, 4th of 6, 9l behind Mikado Melody (11-6) at Wincanton 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Oct.
Cossack Dancer (IRE) 15-2 (10-4) Led, jumped left from 5th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 5l behind Crossbow Creek (11-10) at Kempton 2m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Oct.
Jarro (FR) 7-2 (10-11) Led, headed after 3 out, soon ridden, regained narrow lead when left clear last, won at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Oct beating Twist Bookie (10-13) by 7l, 9 ran.
Smokey Mountain (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Led after 1st until after 4 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace from next, 4th of 8, 2l behind Bishop's Bridge (11-8) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Return Home 13-8fav (11-6) Led, disputed lead 3rd, headed 4th, led again 3 out, weakening when headed 2 out, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Spuradich (11-6) at Hereford 2m nov chs (4) gf in Oct.
