in rear, blundered 2nd, slow 8th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out
jumped right, took keen hold in last pair, headway 11th, chased leaders before 4 out, went 2nd soon after 2 out, no impression on winner
chased leaders, ridden and weakened before 4 out, tailed off
took keen hold, led, hit 1st, headed 6th (water), chased winner and stayed challenging, went right 12th, no impression when went right 2 out, soon lost 2nd, dropped to 4th close home
took keen hold, chased leaders, led 6th (water), kept narrow advantage, hit 11th, went right next, in control when went right last 2
chased leaders, mistake 4th, reminders after 7th, ridden and struggling in last pair 10th, tailed off and pulled up 4 out
held up, hit 1st and mistake next, good headway approaching 11th, went 4th 4 out, stayed on to modest 3rd close home
Molly Round had BRIXEN and Araucaria behind when successful on heavy ground at Exeter and has since finished third over a longer trip on the same track. The runner-up ran well that day on her chasing bow, however, and is fancied to reverse the placings here on 6lb better terms. Donald McCain's mare was the best of these over hurdles but doesn't appear to be enjoying herself over fences and Kings Queen didn't reproduce earlier efforts over the larger obstacles when well beaten at Market Rasen last time. Lady Karinga also needs to step up on recent form but Bellaboosh wasn't disgraced when second at Ludlow and makes more appeal than Kateal, who is tackling fences for the first time.
Molly Round (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Raced wide in last pair, outpaced after 14th, stayed on from 2 out, kept on under pressure flat, went 3rd close home, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Sarika (11-3) at Exeter 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft.
Araucaria (IRE) 8-1 (10-7) In touch, outpaced 4 out, kept on one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Shadrack (10-9) at Catterick 2m Novice Handicap Chase (0-135) (4yo+) (3) sft in Dec.
Bellaboosh (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) Led, jumped left, clear 3rd, not fluent 11th, hit 13th, headed 3 out, one pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 7l behind Alasi (11-4) at Ludlow 2m 4f mrs nov chs (5yo+) (4) gs.
Brixen (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Led, clear before 4 out, ridden and headed last 50 yards, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Molly Round (11-0) at Exeter 2m 3f mares nov ch (4) hvy in Dec.
Kateal 11-8fav (11-8) Led, hit 3 out, fell 2 out, in a race won by Love of Tara (11-8) at Hereford 2m 4f mares hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Dec, 12 ran.
Kings Queen (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Tracked winner until 4th, ridden 8th, soon weakened, 6th of 8, well behind O Crotaigh (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Lady Karinga 12-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, left 2nd 12th, lost place 4 out, soon outpaced by leading pair, lost moderate 3rd 2 out, 5th of 14, 30l behind Mr Chow (11-12) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.
