raced freely, made most from 3rd, in command 2 out, clear when not fluent last, stayed on strongly
held up in touch, steady headway 14th, tracked winner 17th, going well enough before 3 out, no impression next but kept on well for clear 2nd
chased leaders, mistake and weakened 15th, tailed off 4 out
not fluent, in touch, mistake 12th, ridden 16th, soon beaten
led to 3rd, stayed chasing winner, blundered 9th, lost 2nd 17th, outpaced after 4 out, weakened next
chased leaders, outpaced before 3 out, stayed on to take 3rd approaching 2 out, no impression
held up last, no impression from 4 out
raced wide, close 4th when pulled up and dismounted before 10th
in touch, pushed along before 12th, lost touch 17th, tailed off when pulled up after 4 out
This marks a drop in class for Joly Bey, who has a clear cut chance of conceding weight in this company and he is preferred to Direct Access and News Maker, who arrive here in good enough form to pose a few problems along the way. Ask Henry has also got to be given a solid mention after one of his better efforts last time. However, he has endured a number of problems during his career and he has never really fulfilled his potential. He remains a risky proposition. News Maker stays well and is obviously in good heart after his facile win in a conditional riders event at Kempton last week. He has more to do here and, despite an imminent 10lb rise coming his way at the weekend, he may find at least one too good in today's grade. Direct Access made his first start for Nicky Richards a winning one when he was last seen out and has been given plenty of time to get over the run. However, he has looked a sulky character on occasions and is another to have reservations about when contemplating a big-stakes play. Therefore, we stick Joly Bey for the time being, as he has shaped as if he is returning to something like his best lately. The gelding obviously liked the track when he last raced at Sandown Park and, with this trip now absolutely ideal for him, everything is in place for a bold show from Joly Bey now that his yard have been back amongst the winners.
Joly Bey (FR) 15-2 Held up in touch, lost place after 4 out, stayed on approaching 2 out, no danger, 4th of 15, 17l behind Le Duc at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs (B) gd in Jan.
Iris Bleu (FR) 8-1 Held up, blundered 10th, hit 15th, weakened quickly and pulled up at the 16th in race won by Monty's Pass at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gd in Apr '03, 40 ran.
Skippers Cleuch (IRE) 12-1 Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Mister McGoldrick at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs (B) gs in Oct, 10 ran.
Jimmy Tennis (FR) 9-4fav Chased leader, mistake 4th, ridden 15th, weakened 3 out and pulled up 4 out in race won by Maximize at Exeter 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (C) gd in Dec, 6 ran.
Direct Access (IRE) 9-4jt-fav Held up in touch, took closer order 9th, led 11th, ridden 4 out, headed 2 out, rallied to lead again last, ridden out, won at Ayr 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd in Dec beating Lord Capitaine by 5l, 6 ran.
Ask Henry (IRE) 8-1 Held up, took closer order 15th, ridden after 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, no impression after, finished tired, 3rd of 10, 15l behind Brave Spirit at Fontwell 3m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs in Jan.
Moving Earth (IRE) 6-1 Held up in rear, no chance when blundered 4 out, 6th of 9, 37l behind Longshanks at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd in Jan.
News Maker (IRE) 5-1 Close up, hit 7th, led after 4 out, in command 2 out, stayed on well, won at Kempton 3m cnd hcp chs 0-115 (E) gs beating Metal Detector by 11l, 11 ran.
Midnight Gunner 9-2 Tracked leaders, driven along from 12th, led briefly 14th, ridden and weakened 4 out, 6th of 10, 34l behind Zaffamore at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs in Dec.
