in touch in rear, struggling 7th, behind and pulled up soon after next
tracked leaders, led 2 out, ridden clear flat(first fence omitted on both circuits)
raced wide, close up, headway to lead 8th, headed next, tracked leader until 3 out, weakened quickly and pulled up before next dismounted
led, headed 8th, led again next, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened next
tracked leader until 7th, went 2nd when mistake 3 out, ridden and every next, kept on one pace
The Lion Dancer won his only start last season at Uttoxeter so fitness shouldn’t be an issue. Roger Rarebit made a winning debut over fences at the same track last month but that has earned him a penalty for this. Mixedwave was disqualified for his rider’s misuse of the whip here two weeks ago but has still been raised 5lb. BRANDISOVA has started favourite in each of her three runs to date over fences. She’s only won once but this may be an opportunity to double her tally getting 8lb from recent course and distance second O‘Connell.
Roger Rarebit 5-2 (11-10) Chased leaders, jumped left 1st, challenged 5th, went 2nd 4 out, led 3 out, clear from 2 out, easily, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (5) hvy in Nov beating Nine Nine Nine (10-6) by 6l, 8 ran.
O'Connell (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Mid-division, reminders after 7th, dropped to rear 11th, pushed along after 4 out, rallied into close 3rd home turn, chased leader from 2 out, ridden and drifted left run-in, no impression, 2nd of 9, 7l behind Picks Lad (11-4) at Market Rasen 3m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
The Lion Dancer (IRE) 22-1 (11-6) Handy, led 9th, pushed along and headed narrowly after 3 out, soon ridden, rallied and led again after 2 out, edged right approaching last, stayed on resolutely run-in, won at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (5) hvy in Dec beating Patient Owner (11-1) by 2l, 12 ran.
Brandisova (IRE) 11-8fav (11-11) Led, joined 3 out, jumped left 2 out and last, headed towards finish, 3rd of 5, 2 1/2l behind Dysania (10-2) at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Mixedwave (IRE) 4-1 (10-4) Made all, 3 lengths ahead when bad mistake last, driven along and battled on gamely run-in, won at Market Rasen 3m hcp (4) gs in Nov beating Post Chaise (11-6) by shd, 9 ran.
