hit 1st, chased leaders, headway to lead 5th to 8th, mistake and driven 9th, weakening when blundered 10th, pulled up before 4 out
pressed leader to 5th, led 8th, mistake next, headed approaching 10th, led 4 out to next, chased winner to 2 out, no impression
held up in touch, headway to track leading pair 10th, led 3 out, soon drew well clear easily
chased leaders, mistake and reminder 7th, weakening when blundered 4 out
held up in touch, headway to track leading pair from 8th, ridden after 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, no impression
jumped slowly in rear, ridden 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
made most to 5th, stayed prominent, led approaching 10th, blundered and headed 4 out, 4th and no chance when blundered 2 out, mistake last
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Course and distance winner Mystical Star met a well-handicapped rival in Jolly Boy last time and, for us, this lightly-raced runner looks competitive from his current mark at this level. We'll find out more today. Minat Boy was beaten by that same rival over course and distance last time, which was an improved effort, and he warrants consideration on that basis. Acertack likes it here and his second to Soeur Fontenail at Newbury two runs ago gives him a shout, but we prefer others for win purposes. Rookery Lad has been knocking at the door but failing to win from his current mark, while Barton Nic appears to need a career best to score. Inaki is now four pounds below his winning course mark of 2004 and he should be sharper for his only run since then, which came last month, while much as course and distance winner Joe Deane hasn't been sparking lately, a repeat of his course and distance win of January 2004 would give him a shout. Hazeljack is now just a pound above a winning mark from March, so give him some thought but, for the selection, we return to Mystical Star.
Acertack (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 7th of 9, 34l behind Soeur Fontenail (11-11) at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gs in Dec.
Rookery Lad 9-2 (11-12) Held up in touch, headway 5th, ridden after 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Magico (11-1) at Leicester 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd in Dec.
Barton Nic 100-1 (10-6) Took keen hold in touch, weakened before 3 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Verasi (10-13) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (A) hvy in Dec, 19 ran.
Inaki (FR) 16-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, blundered 4 out, weakened quickly and pulled up in race won by Saintsaire (11-12) at Windsor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs in Dec, 7 ran.
Mystical Star (FR) 13-2 (11-12) Held up in touch, headway 10th, tracked leading pair approaching 3 out, kept on from 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 10l behind Jolly Boy (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-90 (F) sft in Dec.
Banaluso (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) In touch when not much room and unseated rider at the 10th in race won by Precious Bane (10-7) at Lingfield 3m nov hcp chs (F) sft in Nov, 10 ran.
Minat Boy 8-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, mistake 9th, stayed on near finish but no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 8l behind Jolly Boy (11-7) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-90 (F) sft in Dec.
Joe Deane (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, joined winner 4 out, every chance when fell 4 out in race won by Free Gift (11-5) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gd in Dec, 13 ran.
Hazeljack 16-1 (9-9) Mid-division, effort 13th, soon ridden and weakened, 7th of 13, 33l behind Ede'iff (9-10) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd in Dec.
