ridden and struggling 9th, always behind
took keen hold early, chased leaders, blundered 8th, ridden, one pace and well held when hit 2 out
chased leaders until fell 2nd
led, ridden and headed between last 2, no impression on winner, kept on well flat to hold 2nd
chased leaders, went 2nd and hit 3 out, led between last 2, in command when hit last, comfortably
chased leaders, mistake 6th, lost place and last at 9th, no chance when jumped left from 4 out
chased leader, hit 6th, lost 2nd 3 out, stayed in 3rd, kept on under pressure flat to press for 3rd
in touch when fell 5th
PEPSYROCK set the record straight at Sandown and should comfortably account for this field if in the same form; Rapide Plaisir could be the one to profit if he isn't. It was hard to believe it was the same horse that powered up the Sandown hill on the bit as the one who had finished so tamely at Kempton just a few weeks earlier. Farmer's Lad was behind at Kempton and Its Crucial behind at Sandown and it's hard to see why either of that pair should reverse the form with the penalty leaving Pepsyrock 5lbs well in. Kelrev is a fair sort on his day and may respond to blinkers but he's still a couple of pounds higher than his highest winning mark, Sole Agent repeated last year's victory at Folkestone but should struggle here, High Oscar's recent profile is hardly encouraging whilst Hope Road is another with plenty to prove. Rapide Plaisir hails from a yard in good form and the jockey booking is a positive. He has slipped back down to a decent mark and could provide the main threat to Pepsyrock, who hadn't convinced prior to his clearcut success at Sandown.
Kelrev (FR) 20-1 (11-2) Mid-division, jumped left 14th, soon behind, tailed off, 10th of 18, well behind Fleet Street (11-10) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Dec.
Its Crucial (IRE) 3-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, mistake 3rd, hit 8th, driven before 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 6, 13l behind Pepsyrock (10-8) at Sandown 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs.
Rapide Plaisir (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 6th, ridden and weakened 3 out, 5th of 12, 16l behind Red Admiral (11-8) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Jan.
Sole Agent (IRE) 5-2jt-fav (11-12) Made all, ridden and quickened up 2 out, clear last, won at Folkestone 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan beating Funny Fellow (10-6) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Pepsyrock (FR) 2-1fav (10-8) Held up, smooth headway to track leading pair soon after 4 out, challenged on bit, no fluent 2 out, led last, never came off the bit, won at Sandown 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs beating Coach Lane (11-7) by 8l, 6 ran.
High Oscar 33-1 (10-13) Ridden and struggling in rear when pulled up at the 11th in race won by The Sawyer (11-6) at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Jan, 15 ran.
Hope Road 11-1 (11-11) Mid-division, headway from 8th, ridden after 3 out, disputing 4th but beaten when badly hampered and unseated rider at the last in race won by Baseball Ted (10-6) at Ascot 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Dec, 13 ran.
Farmer's Lad (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Soon chasing leaders, ridden after 8th, one pace from 3 out, 3rd of 7, 15l behind Fix The Rib (11-6) at Kempton 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Jan.
