led 2nd, clear 8th, ridden and headed 2 out, lost 2nd and blundered last, finished tired
held up, headway to track leading pair going well before 3 out, chased winner approaching last, one pace run-in
led until not fluent and headed 2nd, tracked leader to 10th, under pressure and weakened 12th, well beaten when mistake 3 out, pulled up before next
held up in rear, headway to track leader 10th, led approaching 2 out, hit last, stayed on run-in
chased leaders, under pressure 14th, hit 4 out, weakened next
Harris Bay is taken to get the better of stablemate River Trapper, with Supreme Tadgh interesting if putting in a clear round. Henrietta Knight sets a poser here by saddling two fancied contenders, but our preference is for Harris Bay who created a good impression when making a winning chase debut at Towcester a month ago. He had obviously felt the benefit of a wind operation in the summer, and the application of a tongue-tie helped his cause as well. He had no problems with the stiff finish or going right-handed last time, and today's conditions should suit him also. River Trapper has two-and-a-half lengths to find with Supreme Tadgh on Taunton running, but the latter has since fallen at Exeter when lying second to another of today's opponents, King Coal, and of the trio here, we feel that the Knight inmate has the best claims on these terms. However, Harris Bay, with Timmy Murphy in the plate again, is taken to follow up.
King Coal (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Made all and jumped well throughout, ridden 3 out, left clear 2 out, eased to a walk close home, won at Exeter 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gs in Nov beating Moorland Monarch (9-12) by 5l, 14 ran.
Supreme Tadgh (IRE) 13-2 (11-2) Chased leader, every chance 4 out, mistake 3 out, 2nd and held when fell 2 out in race won by King Coal (11-2) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gs in Nov, 14 ran.
River Trapper (IRE) 10-3 (11-8) Prominent, led on bit after 4 out, headed approaching last, kept on same pace, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Supreme Tadgh (10-10) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf in Nov.
Harris Bay 9-2jt-fav (10-13) Tracked leaders, headway on bit 4 out, tracked leader next, led approaching last, ran on, won at Towcester 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) sft in Nov beating Avadi (10-7) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.
Mandica (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Led to 3rd, stayed prominent, led to 14th, hung left from 4 out, headed 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 9, 8l behind Up The Pub (10-5) at Chepstow 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) hvy in Nov.
