chased leaders until weakened under pressure 4 out
led to 4th, tracked winner, led 7th, hit 9th, headed 10th, lost 2nd 3 out, stayed on to press for 2nd flat but no chance with winner
blundered badly 1st, never going well after, pulled up after 6th
held up, in touch, ridden along 9th, headway after next, chased winner 3 out, driven and no impression soon after 2 out, just held on for 2nd near finish
tracked leader, led 4th to 7th, tracked leader, led 10th in command between last 2, driven out
mistake, blundered 2nd, chased leaders, mistake 8th, challenged before 10th, no impression and weakened before 3 out
held up in touch, not fluent 4th, ridden along 6th, weakened after 10th
in touch, driven and weakened 10th, tailed off when hit 2 out
Green Gamble is taken to make the most of the weight that he receives from Baikaline, with Parson Ploughman and Lucky Pete worth a mention. Green Gamble was the subject of good support in the ring when duly making a winning debut over fences at Huntingdon a fortnight ago, and with the step up in trip and ground still in his favour, David Feek's charge can follow up. Although he remained a maiden over timber, the son of Environment Friend ran well on more than one occasion, including at Sandown in December, and the fact that James Davies, who gets on well with him, is on board again, only adds to our confidence. Baikaline did not beat much when making a successful debut over fences here last time, and although she boasted fair placed form over hurdles, and handled good ground, she was campaigned mainly on more testing going in France, and she has to give weight away to our selection today. Parson Ploughman also made a winning debut over fences at Newton Abbot in November, but failed to complete in two subsequent outings that month and has been off since, while Lucky Pete is in and out so it just depends on which one turns up. In any case he and the rest have it to do to stop Green Gamble from following up.
Baikaline (FR) 15-8fav Tracked leaders, led 4 out, clear after next, unchallenged, won at Plumpton 2m 4f mdn chs (F) gd in Mar beating Five Alley by 7l, 6 ran.
Acertack (IRE) 20-1 In touch, jumped slowly 10th, weakened before 13th, hit 4 out, no chance when blundered badly and unseated rider 3 out in race won by Kosmos Bleu at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-125 (C) gs in Mar, 6 ran.
Parson Ploughman 3-1 Never travelling in rear, mistake 3rd, behind when pulled up 5 out in race won by L'Orphelin at N Abbot 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gs in Nov, 5 ran.
Green Gamble 11-4fav Soon with leader, led 6th to after 3 out, led again 2 out, ridden and edged right flat, driven out, won at Huntingdon 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf in Mar beating Vulcan Lane by 2l, 8 ran.
Lucky Pete 4-1jt-fav Chased leader, mistake 8th, soon ridden, weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 10, 33l behind Old Buddy at Fontwell 2m 2f nov hcp chs 0-100 (E) sft in Jan.
Coppermalt (USA) 14-1 Chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened before last, 4th of 8, 12l behind Green Gamble at Huntingdon 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf in Mar.
L'Etang Bleu (FR) 33-1 Led to 2nd, jumped right 3rd, with leader 6th and 7th, ridden and weakened after 10th, tailed off when pulled up at the 7th in race won by Colonial Sunset at Chepstow 2m 3f sll hcp chs 0-90 (G) sft in Oct, 8 ran.
Montys Island (IRE) 10-1 Held up, headway 6th, not fluent 9th, left 3rd at 11th, weakened next, 5th of 7, well behind Caribbean Cove at Newbury 2m 2f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gs.
