led until 7th, chased leader until mixtake 12th, dropped to last at 16th, struggling after
held up in touch, headway 15th, chased leading pair next, chasing leader and travelling well until mistake 3 out, weakened and mistake next
close up, went 2nd 12th, hit 17th and next and lost place, ridden approaching 3 out, plugged on
ran in snatches, chased leading pair until lost place and ridden 11th, renewed effort from 15th, chased leaders 3 out, challenge 2 out, soon led, in command before last, driven out
tracked leader, led 7th, ridden and joined 2 out, soon headed, readily held before last
held up in touch, ridden 16th, struggling after 4 out, tailed off
ZANZIBAR BOY is taken to get the better of Nicto De Beauchene and Fresh Air And Fun. Formerly with Hughie Morrison, he made an impressive winning debut for his new yard when routing the field at Towcester. The handicapper has reacted accordingly and he's 20lbs higher now but he looks capable of scoring again in this company. Fresh Air And Fun battled well to make a winning debut over fences at Ludlow; he's 7lbs higher but has the obvious scope for improvement in this discipline and makes the short-list. Millards Lad may be able to leave his autumn form behind after a break, The Wicketkeeper is another looking to put a stop to a poor sequence and Zacharova to bounce back from a poor run. So, too, is Nicto De Beauchene but he had looked progressive prior to that run and he appeals as the biggest threat to Zanzibar Boy.
Millards Lad (IRE) 7-2fav (11-7) In touch, under pressure approaching 8th, soon beaten, 8th of 15, well behind Heathcliff (10-4) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Nov.
The Wicketkeeper (IRE) 14-1 (10-2) In rear, mistake 12th, well behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Miss Mitch (10-5) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gs in Jan, 17 ran.
Nicto De Beauchene (FR) 9-4fav (10-13) Towards rear, ridden 15th, weakened next, 5th of 9, well behind Double Dizzy (10-12) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Jan.
Zacharova (IRE) 11-2 (10-8) Prominent, blundered 16th, weakened 17th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Double Dizzy (10-12) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Jan, 9 ran.
Fresh Air And Fun (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Chased leader, led 3rd to 7th, led approaching 10th, jumped left next, jumped left and headed 13th, rallied under pressure flat, led close home, won at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Jan beating Spring Lover (11-4) by 2l, 13 ran.
Zanzibar Boy 5-2fav (11-4) Tracked leader, left in lead from 6th, clear 2 out, ran on, won at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Dec beating Glimmer of Light (9-10) by 32l, 13 ran.
By George (IRE) 4-1 (10-5) Behind, hit 12th, blundered 14, headway and driven into 5th when blundered 3 out, went 3rd approaching 2 out, not reach front pair, 3rd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Rustarix (11-12) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
