chased leaders, blundered and nearly unseated rider 4 out, 3rd next, went 2nd approaching the last, no chance with very easy winner
made all, awkward 8th, came clear from 3 out, heavily eased run-in, unchallenged
chased leaders, went 2nd 9th, one pace and no impression on winner from 3 out, lost 2nd approaching the last, weakened into 4th in closing stages
held up, steady headway approaching 4 out, went modest 3rd in closing stages
held up, pushed along when fell 6th
always in rear, never a factor
tracked winner until 4th, chased leaders, blundered and unseated rider 9th
held up, never involved
held up, no headway when not fluent 3 out
chased leaders, went 2nd 4th until 9th, chased leading pair until 3 out, ridden and weakened next
Laser Hawk, Full Shift and Rock On Rocky are all making their chasing debuts. The former is probably the most interesting of that trio but hasn't raced for almost 12 months. Aso was only beaten a neck at Warwick and has conditions in his favour. Arzal was quite impressive at Ludlow but For Two is proving hard to place and Balgarry weakened quickly when starting favourite at Huntingdon. JAVERT would not have lived with most of these over hurdles but showed that chasing was his game when jumping well for a comfortable victory at Chepstow. The headgear helped him to concentrate and he looks interesting if it works a second time.
Aso (FR) 15-8fav (11-1) Tracked leader until 7th, 2nd again after 4 out, driven and closed final 100 yards, just held, 2nd of 4, nk behind Willow's Saviour (11-1) at Warwick 2m (3) gs in Nov.
Arzal (FR) 4-9fav (11-8) Took keen hold, not always fluent and went left, made all, clear 4 out, unchallenged, won at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct beating Murrayana (11-3) by 6l, 4 ran.
Balgarry (FR) 5-2fav (11-8) Took keen hold, led, clear until after 3 out, headed when mistake 2 out, 3rd and beaten after, 3rd of 9, 18l behind Raven's Tower (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Laser Hawk (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Led, strongly pressed when bumped 2 out, narrowly headed last, rallied gamely to lead again run-in, ridden clear and in command last half furlong, won at Newbury 2m mdn (4) sft in Dec beating Beast Of Burden (11-0) by 2 3/4l, 17 ran.
Wadswick Court (IRE) 7-2fav (11-3) Tracked leader, led after 9th, hit next, joined 3 out, headed last, one pace and no chance with unextended winner, 2nd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Calipto (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 3f (4) gs in Oct.
Full Shift (FR) 16-1 (10-10) Mid-division on inner, ridden in 9th entering straight, kept on same pace from last, 7th of 22, 17 3/4l behind Sort It Out (10-12) at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp sft in May.
Javert (IRE) 15-2 (11-5) Tracked leader, led 4 out, ridden run-in, kept on well, won at Chepstow 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov beating Ozzy Thomas (11-7) by 6l, 11 ran.
Rock On Rocky 15-2 (11-0) Tracked leader, led 6th, headed next, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 3rd of 7, dist behind Foxcub (11-2) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
For Two (FR) 5-2fav (11-3) Tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, every chance 2 out, weakened from last, 5th of 7, 13 1/2l behind Shimla Dawn (11-7) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Johnny Og 8-1 (10-12) Made all, clear before 4 out until 3 out, went clear again from 2 out, unchallenged, won at Stratford 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Oct beating Colin's Brother (11-5) by 6l, 9 ran.
