race in 3rd, left 5 lengths, 2nd at 7th, closed up 9th, hit 12th, in 3rd when hit 2 out, soon ridden and no impression on front pair
led, left 5 lenghts clear at 7th, not fluent 11th, strongly pressed from 3 out, driven and headed soon after 2 out, plugged on one pace flat
behind, ridden 6th, no chance when blundered 4 out
tracked leader, upsides when fell 7th
chased leaders, in 4th, ridden 6th, left 3rd at 7th, went 2nd 3 out, led soon after 2 out, driven out flat
always in rear, struggling 10th, tailed off
A chance is taken on Mandingo Chief maintain his run of good form and gaining just reward for a series of good efforts. Handy Money and Art Virginia rate also rate as serious contenders, while Seafield Bogie is capable but looked to be in the grip of the assessor when third at Market Rasen earlier in the month. Art Virginia does not look to be the most straightforward of characters but did manage to win on his penultimate start. He made a clumsy mistake when falling last time out and, although his trainer, Nicky Henderson, is more than capable of ironing out the creases, the gelding needs to show a good deal of improvement. Handy Money was good value for his success at Ludlow at the start of this month. However, a 7lb higher mark leaves him vulnerable on these terms. Therefore, we prefer to go with Mandingo Chief, who still has room to manoeuvre from his current mark and is taken as the best betting proposition here.
Handy Money 12-1 (11-8) In touch, led after 9th, headed briefly 13th, ridden 4 out, jumped right, mistake 2 out, kept on, won at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf beating High Calibre (10-7) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Art Virginia (FR) 9-1 (11-8) Took keen hold, tracking leaders until unseated rider at the 4th in race won by Always Waining (11-4) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Mar, 7 ran.
Seafield Bogie (IRE) 7-4fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure from next, no impression, 3rd of 7, 12l behind Honest Endeavour (10-8) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf.
Mandingo Chief (IRE) 6-1 (10-11) Chased leader, left in lead 8th, headed 10th, left in lead 11th, headed 2 out, ran on well flat, just failed, 2nd of 6, shd behind Kaldouas (11-2) at Wincanton 2m 5f nov chs (3) sft in Jan.
Idris (GER) 7-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 4 out, pulled up before last pulled up at the last in race won by From Dawn To Dusk (11-0) at Exeter 2m 3f nov chs (3) gs in Mar, 10 ran.
New Entic (FR) 12-1 (11-0) Towards rear, ridden 5 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by From Dawn To Dusk (11-3) at Haydock 2m 6f nov chs (3) gd, 6 ran.
