held up, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, kept on to chase winner flat
tracked leaders and keen, close up 2nd when fell 14th
led after 2nd, ridden 4 out, kept on well
led, headed 3rd, blundered 12th, hit next, ridden and losing place when hampered 14th, pecked 4 out, mistake last
tracked leaders, left 2nd 14th, ridden 2 out, fading approaching last, lost 2nd flat
Sungates, Shardam and It's Definite are three against the field in a tough race to call for punters and the narrow vote is given to Shardam. The selection was a fair third behind Meehan last time out, remains well weighted on his best form and with his yard continuing in good form he looks the value bet in an open affair. Sungates rates the main danger on his best form but he gave the impression the handicapper had caught up with him last time when he pulled up and he is taken on with this in mind. It's Definite is another that could go well but he may just need the run after a 350 day absence. Moonlit Harbour continues to be beset by jumping problems while Casadei is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but he is hard to win with, and for the winner we return to the well handicapped Shardam.
Sungates (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Always in rear, tailed off when pulled up at the 12th in race won by Mr Dow Jones (10-4) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Oct, 11 ran.
Moonlit Harbour 12-1 (11-12) fell 1st in race won by Rakalackey (11-5) at Kempton 3m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd, 8 ran.
Shardam (IRE) 15-2 (11-3) Led and not fluent early, ridden and headed approaching 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 3rd of 10, 12l behind Meehan (11-4) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Oct.
It's Definite (IRE) 13-2 (10-13) Tracked leader, jumped slowly 1st, not fluent 3rd, mistake 8th, blundered badly 9th and pulled up at the 10th in race won by Comanche War Paint (11-12) at Taunton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-115 (D) gf, 7 ran.
Casadei (IRE) 6-1 (10-5) Held up and keen, headway 3rd, ridden 2 out, every chance last, not quicken, 2nd of 10, 1l behind Meehan (11-4) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Oct.