led, not fluent 12th, hit 14th, ridden when mistake 2 out, headed last, faded
held up, headway 13th, ridden 4 out, soon weakened
prominent, ridden 4 out to chase leader, weakened 2 out
in rear when unseated rider 11th (water)
in touch, lost place 4th, ridden 10th, outpaced approaching 4 out, soon weakened
prominent, mistake, lost place 10th, weakened 14th
held up, headway 14th, one pace from 2 out
towards rear, mistake 13th, headway next, ridden to lead last, edged left flat
Professor Hegarty gets the confident vote here with Borehill Joker and Cassia Heights rating the main dangers. The selection would have gone close last time out but for slipping up in a race won by Otantique, as a consequence he remains on the same mark and with the ground also in his favour he is taken to regain the winning thread. Borehill Joker rates the main danger as he beat Olly Coleman last time out. However this looks more competitive and he looks vulnerable under his penalty. Cassia Heights is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but his very best efforts have come with more cut in the ground. Return Home is thrown in on his best form but is often let down by his jumping, while Gan Eagla looks vulnerable under top weight, and for the winner we return to Professor Hegarty.
Gan Eagla (IRE) 10-1 (10-1) Led, headed 12th, ridden and weakened 4 out, blundered 2 out, 8th of 13, 24l behind Bowleaze (10-0) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gd in Oct.
Ferimon 7-1 (11-11) Jumped left, led until 11th, chased leader to next, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Lady of Scarvagh (11-10) at Kempton 3m nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Jan, 11 ran.
Professor Hegarty (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, soon chasing leaders and slipped up 2 out in race won by Otantique (11-12) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Oct, 9 ran.
Borehill Joker 14-1 (10-8) Disputed lead, bumped 1st, definate advantage 15th, kept on, won at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Oct beating Oily Colman (10-5) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Super Judge (IRE) 5-1co-fav (11-3) In rear, mistake 6th, soon ridden, mistake again 3 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Professor Hegarty (11-2) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Oct, 12 ran.
Sungates (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (11-5) Held up, hampered 1st, mistake 3rd, no chance from 13th, mistake 15th, 7th of 13, 33l behind Caislean Na Deirge (10-13) at Ludlow 3m amt hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Oct.
Ashgreen 4-1 (11-2) Led, slipped and headed before 11th, soon lost place, behind from 14th, 7th of 8, 42l behind Dun Drinan (11-5) at Warwick 3m 2f cnd hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf.
Return Home 9-1 (10-6) Held up, headway after 15th, mistake and rider lost iron 4 out, soon one pace, 4th of 11, 4l behind Borehill Joker (10-8) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Oct.
Cassia Heights 9-2 (11-0) Always prominent, ridden approaching 4 out, beaten afer 3 out, 3rd of 13, 7l behind Caislean Na Deirge (10-13) at Ludlow 3m amt hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Oct.