mid-division, behind from 9th
with leader, weakened after 8th
always in rear
tailed off 6th
made virtually all, mistake 2 out, driven out
tailed off 7th
tracked leaders, chased winner from 6th, no impression from 4 out
tracked leaders, ridden 9th, weakened 4 out
mid-division, effort to chase leaders 4 out, weakened 3 out
towards rear, tailed off 6th, pulled up before 4 out
mid-division, weakened 9th, pulled up before next
tailed off 6th
mid-division, headway 8th to chase leaders, weakened 2 out
Gentle John can get the better of Waterspray and Roussea in this competitive handicap chase. The selection has been a little hit and miss so far in his chasing career but he ran encouragingly last time when second behind King Louis at Ascot and a reproduction of that effort today should make him hard to beat. Waterspray is on a fair mark at present and he indicated that his turn might not be far away when he finished a good second behind Salhood at Doncaster last time. Roussea won well last time when beating Storm Of Applause here but he is thoroughly exposed and he may find a couple too good today. Pauntley Gofa is a course and distance winner and is another to factor in, but Gentle John showed enough last time to make him the one to beat today.
Harry Potter (GER) 40-1 (11-7) Led, headed 4th, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Yann's (10-9) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Dec, 10 ran.
Waterspray (AUS) 13-2 (11-9) Led, driven 4 out, ridden and headed approaching last, kept on until no extra flat, 2nd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Salhood (11-3) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Dec.
Space Star 10-1 (11-12) Prominent, ridden 4 out, weakening when fell at the last in race won by Obelix De Longechaux (11-9) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Dec, 11 ran.
Good Old Days (IRE) 40-1 (11-5) Held up, mistake 8th, never a factor, 5th of 7, 49l behind Enlightenment (11-5) at Ludlow 2m nov chs (3) gd in Dec.
Gentle John (FR) 11-2 (11-2) Led 3rd, blundered 4 out, headed 2 out, soon ridden, one pace, 2nd of 9, 11l behind King Louis (11-3) at Ascot 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Dec.
Pauntley Gofa 100-1 (11-0) In touch, 4th and plugged on from 4 out, hit next, 4th of 7, 21l behind Voy Por Ustedes (11-10) at Kempton 2m chs Grd 2 (1) gs in Dec.
Orfeo Conti (FR) 14-1 (11-4) In touch, ridden and mistake 8th, weakened next, tailed off and pulled up 3 out in race won by Magot De Grugy (11-8) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Dec, 10 ran.
Amir El Jabal (FR) 6-1 (11-1) Prominent, went 2nd 4th, led approaching 2 out, ridden and narrow advantage when fell at the last in race won by Oiseau de Nuit (10-9) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Dec, 12 ran.
High Life 14-1 (10-12) Mid-division, effort approaching 4 out, one pace, 6th of 12, 37l behind Helen Wood (10-6) at Exeter 2m 3f mrs nov chs (4) gs in Dec.
Syroco (FR) 6-1 (11-12) Chased winner from 2nd until after 5th, 2nd again 7th, blundered 4 out, 8 lengths 3rd and beaten when fell in race won by Lake Imperial (10-3) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Nov, 7 ran.
Call Me Edward (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Held up, effort after 9th, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 20l behind Gipsy Cricketer (9-11) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Oct '06.
Roussea (IRE) 9-4fav (10-3) Mid-division, headway to lead 4 out, ran on well, won at Ludlow 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Dec beating Storm of Applause (11-7) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
My Old Piano (IRE) 50-1 (10-5) Held up last, stayed on from 3 out but never nearer, 4th of 9, 38l behind Psychomodo (10-12) at Ascot 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) gd in Nov.
Tyup Pompey (IRE) 100-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, lost place 4th, mistake 7th, behind from next, 6th of 7, 50l behind Enlightenment (11-5) at Ludlow 2m nov chs (3) gd in Dec.
