held up, pushed along halfway, soon lost touch, pulled up before 11th
chased leaders, outpaced 5 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
tracked leader, led 3rd to 9th, reminders next, soon behind, pulled up before 13th
held up, hit 6th, outpaced 14th, never on terms
led to 3rd, chased leaders, reminders 8th, driven and out paced 10th, rallied 3 out, stayed on to chase winner approaching last, no extra flat
in touch, led 9th, blundered and headed 12th, hit next, every chance 3 out, ridden and weakened last
in touch when fell 4th
held up in touch, headway to lead 12th, ridden approaching last, kept on well
Irish Wolf showed progressive form over hurdles and has to be respected but Peter Bowen's gelding has been largely disappointing over fences and may struggle to give weight away all round so preference is for Unowatimeen, with Antonius Caesar rated the pick of the remainder. The selection is less exposed than most of these but Don McCain's gelding has already shown a decent level of form and looks worth backing to follow up his recent impressive success at Sedgefield. Shrewd Investor is better than he showed at Kelso when pulled up last time but may prefer a softer surface and a bigger threat may come from The Whisperer, who is lightly raced and could be of interest on his debut over fences if fit enough for his return. Antonius Caesar is going the right way and is another to consider but Unowatimeen created a favourable impression when scoring at Sedgefield and he gets the vote to win again.
Irish Wolf (FR) 10-1 (11-8) Chased winner to 7th, lost place 9th, outpaced after 11th, lost touch approaching 16th, 3rd of 4, 32l behind Joe Lively (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m 1f nov chs (2) gd in Dec.
Shrewd Investor (IRE) 4-1 (11-3) Prominent until ridden and weakened 4 out, behind and pulled up * out in race won by Brave Rebellion (10-12) at Kelso 2m 6f nov chs (2) hvy in Jan, 11 ran.
Unowatimeen (IRE) 9-4 (11-0) Made all, drew clear from 3 out, pushed out, comfortably, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (4) hvy beating Gypsy George (11-0) by 8l, 8 ran.
Antonius Caesar (FR) 7-2 (10-13) Held up towards rear, headway 16th, soon tracking winner, driven to challenge approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 7, 7l behind Sherwoods Folly (10-12) at Huntingdon 3m nov chs (3) hvy in Jan.
Allistathebarrista (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Led 2nd, reminders after 10th, headed 4 out, stayed challenging, intimidated by winner, still every chance when ran out at the last in race won by Beat The Boys (11-8) at Warwick 3m 2f nov chs (3) gs, 5 ran.
Hockenheim (FR) 9-2 (11-0) Led from 2nd, headed 4th, blundered 7th, led again 9th, mistake 5 out, headed next, weakened 3 out, 4th of 8, 32l behind Minster Shadow (11-0) at Newcastle 3m beg chs (4) sft in Jan.
Kirkside Pleasure (IRE) 11-4fav (11-5) With leaders when fell at the 11th in race won by Star Player (11-5) at Carlisle 3m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft, 7 ran.
The Whisperer (IRE) 4-7fav (10-13) In touch, outpaced approaching 3 out, rallied approaching next, kept on from last, 3rd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Allegedly So (10-12) at Newcastle 3m nov hdl (3) sft in Jan '07.
