led, hit 5th, narrowly headed approachig 8th, lost 2nd 2 out, rallied to regain 2nd flat. no chance with easy winner
chased leading pair to 6th, stayed handy, ridden after 3 out, outpaced next
held up, headway after 3 out, soon ridden, chased leaders under pressure approaching 2 out, outpaced soon after
tracked leading pair 6th, led 2 out, quickened and soon clear
pressed leader, led approaching 8th, headed 2 out, immediately outpaced by winner, lost 2nd flat, kept on
held up last, headway 8th, ridden after 3 out, last and no impression when mistake and unseated rider last
Red Acres is preferred to Noble Bily, Moonfleet and Carpet Ride in another 'wonder show' for punters to unravel. Carpet Ride is yet to win over jumps and has let his supporters down too many time to be recommending - even in a weak event such as this. That said, he showed a modicum of improvement here last month, so a case can be made for him (at a push). Moonfleet lacks experience of fences and although he gets plenty of weight from the others, he also looks a risky proposition to complete with honours on his chasing bow. Noble Bily achieved little when landing the odds in a Taunton selling hurdle and, despite his confidence being boosted, that form bears little significance for today's task. Therefore, we prefer to take a chance with Red Acres, whose Irish form hinted at ability and, in a race where something has to win, he looks the most exciting prospect for a small stakes interest.
Grouse Moor (USA) 33-1 (11-3) Held up last, headway after 9th, ridden and chased leader 4 out, weakened after 2 out, 3rd of 8, 23l behind Mister Quasimodo (11-3) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (4) hvy in Jan.
Noble Bily (FR) 4-11fav (11-2) Mid-division, headway 5th, led after 3 out, driven out, won at Taunton 2m 1f sll hdl (5) sft in Mar beating A Double Ewe Bee (10-9) by 2l, 11 ran.
Red Acres (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Chased leaders until ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 10th of 11, 40l behind Magnesium (11-11) at Sandown 2m nov hcp hdl 0-115 (3) sft in Dec.
Vinmix De Bessy (FR) 13-2 (11-12) Hampered 1st, held up, progress 7th, ridden after 4 out, weakened next, 7th of 9, 26l behind Rowdy Yeats (10-5) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Mar.
Carpet Ride 20-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, went 2nd approaching 4 out, still pressing leaders 2 out, no extra flat, 3rd of 5, 6l behind Clearly In Motion (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Mar.
Moonfleet (IRE) 11-2 (10-13) Held up, stayed on under pressure from 3 out, kept on flat, 4th of 12, 3l behind Barnbrook Empire (10-5) at Cheltenham 2m 3yo nov hdl (D) gd in Oct '05.
