in touch, ridden and weakened 14th, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out
in rear, some headway 10th, soon lost place, tailed off when pulled up before 14th
in rear, pulled up and dismounted after 2nd, lame
mid-division, mistakes 6th and 12th, headway 15th, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, weakened 2 out
mid-division, mistake 4th, reminders 7th, hit 11th, behind from 14th
tracked leaders, ridden along from 7th, close up 4th when fell 5 out
led, hit 10th, headed and ridden approaching 16th, weakened 3 out
tracked leader, mistake 5th, led approaching 16th, jumped right from next, all out and edged left to last
always in rear, weakened from 14th
mid-division, mistake 6th, reminders 11th, weakened 14th
in touch, soon humoured along, mistake 2nd, tracked leader from 6th, hard ridden to chase winner 4 out, staying on and hampered flat
Geeveem is the preference to Iris Bleu and Deferlant. The selection does not have too much experience under rules but his jumping is genuinely sound and all evidence suggests that he stays all day. Deferlant would be a nice filip to the fledgling training career of Carl Llewellyn. The handicapper has had a chance to have his say and it will be interesting to see how the market reacts. Iris Bleu has few problems in relation to the trip although an ability to handle the surface is something of a question mark. Touch Closer had not run for eight months before obliging at Ludlow so students of the bounce factor will be avoiding him today. Zimbabwe steps up in grade having rattled up a hat-trick against lesser opposition while The Bandit would have a chance at big odds if his attitude and more importantly, his jumping stands up to examination. Cowboyboots appreciates a thorough test of stamina although his better form has obtained in smaller fields. A fair turnout for a good prize and Geeveem is put forward as the pick of the bunch.
Iris Bleu (FR) 6-1 (11-3) Well in rear, stayed on from 4 out, went 3rd last, 3rd of 11, 14l behind Tana River (11-5) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Dec.
The Bandit (IRE) 5-1 (10-10) In touch, last place after 6th, tailed off when pulled up at the 9th in race won by Sir Rembrandt (11-12) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gf in May, 8 ran.
Deferlant (FR) 3-1fav (10-10) Held up, progress 11th, left in lead 2 out, no fluent last, ridden out, won at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov beating He's The Gaffer (9-13) by 7l, 7 ran.
Geeveem (IRE) 4-5fav (10-13) Tracked leaders, led 11th, blundered and narrowly headed last, rallied to regain lead towards finish, won at Plumpton 3m 2f nov chs (3) gd in Nov beating Lawyer Des Ormeaux (10-13) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Cowboyboots (IRE) 9-2 (11-6) Chased leaders, lost place 12th, hit 15th, one pace from 4 out, left 3rd 2 out, 3rd of 7, 17l behind Deferlant (10-10) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Touch Closer 22-1 (11-12) Led, headed 5th, led 13th, ridden approaching 4 out, ran on well flat, won at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec beating She's Our Native (11-1) by 5l, 9 ran.
Dunbrody Millar (IRE) 11-2 (11-1) Jumped left, led to 6th, regained lead 7th to before 12th, tracked leader until blundered 4 out, weakened, jumped left last 2, 4th of 10, 26l behind Alderburn (11-6) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Dec.
Pass Me By 9-2 (10-6) Led, headed 4 out, ridden approaching next, kept on to chase winner from last, no impression, 2nd of 9, 8l behind Kitski (10-0) at Market Rasen 3m 1f hcp chs 0-140 (2) sft in Dec.
Chabrimal Minster 4-1 (11-6) Held up, headway to chase leaders 12th, led after 4 out, stumbled badly and headed 3 out, soon beaten, 4th of 10, 20l behind Classic Capers (11-5) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.
Willie John Daly (IRE) 25-1 (10-5) In touch, ridden and weakened approaching 4 out, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Tana River (11-5) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Dec, 11 ran.
Zimbabwe (FR) 11-2 (10-4) Promient, led after 2nd to 6th, led 8th, ridden clear 3 out, eased flat, won at Exeter 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy beating Charlies Future (11-9) by 7l, 10 ran.
