held up, reminders 6th, ridden 11th, weakened 4 out
tracked leaders, ridden to lead 3 out, headed 2 out, weakened last
led, headed 7th, led again briefly 9th, weakened 11th
held up, ridden 8th, soon weakened and tailed off after 11th
towards rear and mistakes, blundered 4th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out
tracked leaders, hit 1st, weakened 11th, behind when unseated rider 4 out
towards rear, reminders 6th, ridden and headway 9th, chased leader 11th, ridden and weakended after 3 out
tracked leader, led 7th, headed briefly 9th, kidden along approaching 12th, headed and mistake 3 out, led again 2 out, kept on
Zimbabwe, Precious Bane and Dads Lad are three against the field in this competitive handicap chase and the narrow vote is given to Zimbabwe. The selection won well last time out when beating Onyourheadbeit and although having a penalty for that win he looks a progressive type and under conditions that suit he is taken to defy the handicaper. Precious Bane dissapointed on his first run of the season but is sure to strip fitter here and he should be noted in the market. Dads Lad is well weighted on his best form of a couple of seasons ago and if he has improved for his first run of the season he will not be far away but the suspicion is he may bounce and he is taken on with this in mind. Of the remainder Snowy Ford is from a yard in form but looks weighted up to his best while Le Layon is from a shrewd yard and is another that should be noted in the market but for the winner we return to Zimbabwe.
Snowy Ford (IRE) 66-1 (10-8) In touch, hit 10th, ridden and struggling after next, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Lou Du Moulin Mas (11-4) at Newbury 3m amt hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Blunham Hill (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Prominent, lost place and mistake 5th, jumped left from 7th, weakened 9th, tailed off when pulled up at the 10th in race won by The Outlier (11-9) at Towcester 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Nov, 5 ran.
Precious Bane (IRE) 11-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, mistake 4th, blundered 12th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up at the 18th in race won by Naunton Brook (10-5) at Hexham 4m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov, 12 ran.
Le Layon (FR) 28-1 (10-8) Tracked leader, lost 2nd at 8th, soon weakened, 4th of 5, 32l behind Avitta (11-7) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Roman Rampage 25-1 (10-2) Always behind, lost touch after 17th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Ranelagh Gray (10-7) at Exeter 4m hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft, 5 ran.
Dads Lad (IRE) 13-2 (10-10) Tracked leader, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching next, last of 5, 34l behind Kilbeggan Blade (11-12) at Market Rasen 3m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Nov.
Tallow Bay (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Always in rear, behind when pulled up at the 10th in race won by Apple Joe (9-11) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Nov, 13 ran.
Zimbabwe (FR) 10-1 (9-11) Made all, ridden approaching 4 out, kept on gamely under pressure from 3 out, won at Exeter 2m 7f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft beating Onyourheadbeit (11-5) by 9l, 13 ran.
