held up, good headway approaching 8th, challenged and hit 3 out, no extra approaching last
held up in rear, hit 1st, mistake 5th, weakened from 4 out
with leaders, ridden after 4 out, weakened approaching next
held up, weakened from 9th, pulled up after 4 out
chased leaders, mistake 4th, soon reminders, weakened from 7th, tailed off
chased leaders, led approaching and jumped left 3 out, stayed on well approaching last
led, headed 7th, soon lost place
with leaders, led 7th, headed approaching 3 out, weakened next
chased leaders, weakened 8th
Despite a nagging doubt about his Chepstow win preference here is for MOCHO with Tony McCoy on-board for the first time; Carrickmines and Donald Will Do may be the biggest dangers. Ian Williams has run the selection twice since that win but he was outclassed at Sandown before reverting to hurdles at Southwell. This softer ground should suit and with the drop in trip in his favour and he should run well. Hermano Cordobes is starting to look attractively handicapped, Carrickmines is consistent but he looks weighted up to his best, whilst this easier ground might suit the ex-French Quincy Des Pictons so it might be wise to keep on the right side of him. Lord Collingwood has been off for 759 days and looks opposable, as does Omix D'Or despite a falling handicap mark. Donald Will Do is one of the more consistent in the line-up and he seems to handles all types of ground, however in a tricky race it is Mocho who is selected.
Carrickmines (IRE) 13-8fav (11-0) Held up in touch, headway to chase winner approaching 6th, jumped slowly and outpaced by rival from 8th, 2nd of 5, 8l behind Pret A Thou (11-5) at Warwick 2m hcp ch 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.
Quincy Des Pictons (FR) 40-1 (11-10) Mid-division, chased leaders 2 out, soon one pace, 6th of 14, 21l behind Dan Buoy (10-12) at Southwell 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Jan.
Mocho (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Held up, headway 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, 4th of 14, 18l behind Dan Buoy (10-12) at Southwell 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Jan.
Lord Collingwood (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, blundered 5th, hit 7th, went 4th 14th, soon ridden and weakened, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Shardakhan (11-11) at Kempton 3m nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Jan '08, 12 ran.
Hermano Cordobes (IRE) 25-1 (10-13) Led, headed after 3rd, remained close-up, lost place approaching 5 out, 8th of 10, 18l behind Sycho Fred (10-1) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.
Omix D'or (FR) 28-1 (10-7) In touch, lost place 6th, headway 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, 5th of 14, 18l behind Dan Buoy (10-12) at Southwell 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Jan.
Donald Will Do (IRE) 15-2 (11-2) Chased leaders, challenging when left in lead 9th, headed 11th, led last, headed close home, 2nd of 13, 1 1/4l behind PonchaTrain (11-5) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp ch 0-95 (5) gs in Jan.
Furze Hill (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Mid-division, ridden 8th, never dangerous, 6th of 13, 22l behind PonchaTrain (11-5) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp ch 0-95 (5) gs in Jan.
Feeling Peckish (USA) 200-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, under pressure halfway, soon no impression, 5th of 6, 28l behind Massasoit (11-0) at Fakenham 3m beg chase (4) sft in Jan.