not fluent, reminders 5th, always behind
chased winner to 6th, 3rd when hit 3 out, kept on from next, no impression
chased leaders, reminders 6th, soon outpaced, weakened 3 out
made all, driven clear last, eased towards finish easily
raced keenly, held up mid-division, weakened 6th, tailed off 3 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd 6th, driven and outpaced approaching 2 out, kept on under pressure, no chance with winner
held up towards rear, headway 6th, chased leaders 3 out, 3rd when mistake next, no impression approaching last
always towards rear
in touch, outpaced 3 out, no impression from next
mid-division, lost place 7th, behind from next
in touch, outpaced 3 out, weakened from next
Nonrunner
SEA VENTURE is our nomination with Picaroon and Snake Charmer put up as the dangers. Chris Thornton's charge looked to have the makings of a decent novice during the early stages of his career but did not appear to progress as one would have hoped. The ground is of some concern if it were to get very soft but he does come to the party off the back of a fair run. Picaroon won a bumper in Ireland and is making a handicap debut this afternoon. The market is watched. Snake Charmer was a capable performer on the level in Germany before landing a maiden hurdle over here last December. Or d'Oudairies looks to have plenty of weight on for what he has achieved. Cottam Grange often travels well before finding precious little. Karatheana is something of a Market Rasen specialist but she was badly tailed off at Catterick earlier in the month. Sea Venture secures the verdict.
Deep Reflection 9-2 (11-6) Set steady pace, headed 6th, led after 3 out, mistake 2 out, soon headed, mistake last, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Midnight Chase (11-5) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft.
Or d'Oudairies (FR) 9-2jt-fav (11-4) Prominent, raced keenly, not much room when swtiched right approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace, 5th of 11, 5l behind Zahra's Place (11-1) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Nov.
Peters Star (IRE) 8-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders, challenged 2 out, soon driven and one pace, 5th of 8, 16l behind Terenzium (10-3) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft.
Picaroon 16-1 (10-9) Pulled hard in mid-division, headway after 7th, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Charity Lane (11-5) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy.
Pentasilea 40-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, weakened from 8th and pulled up 3 out in race won by Corlande (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Nov, 9 ran.
Snake Charmer 7-2 (10-4) Chased leader, led 6th to 7th, every chance when stumbled and unseated rider 2 out in race won by Midnight Chase (11-5) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft, 8 ran.
Sea Venture (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, smooth headway after 4 out, ridden next, kept on to take 3rd near finish, 3rd of 16, 8l behind Smoke And Mirrors (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Karathaena (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, lost place 6th, soon tailed off, 15th of 16, well behind Lawgiver (11-1) at Catterick 2m 3f amt hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs.
Festive Chimes (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Held up mid-division, weakening when hit 2 out, 11th of 15, 42l behind Ruby Crown (10-0) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) hvy.
Cottam Grange 7-1 (11-3) Chased leader, one pace from 2 out, 4th of 11, 17l behind Upright Ima (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 1f ldy hcp hdl (5) sft in Nov.
Titfer (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, stayed on well, won at Doncaster 2m sll hdl (5) gd beating Deadline (11-7) by 5l, 11 ran.
Kanonkop 66-1 (11-2) In touch, hit 7th, soon ridden, weakened 3 out, 11th of 15, 40l behind Chaim (10-9) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
Final Veto 7-1 (11-5) Not fluent, led after 1st until 2nd, lost place after next, well behind 7th, tailed off next and pulled up 2 out in race won by John Fenton (10-12) at Southwell 3m nov hdl (4) gf in Aug, 9 ran.
