held up, blundered 6th, went 3rd next, ridden and weakened 3 out
led after 1st, made rest, driven 2 out, ridden and stayed on flat
led to after 1st, tracked winner, challenged 7th, every chance 2 out, soon ridden and kept on, held towards finish
held up in rear, ridden after 4 out, went 3rd next, ridden and kept on from 2 out, no impression on leading pair
tracked leaders on outside, lost place 7th, soon well behind
Little Jimbob, Schinken Otto and Yankee Holiday should fight out the finish in this handicap chase and we will side with Schinken Otto. The selection ran really well last week over hurdles and he returns to the bigger obstacles today. He is better handicapped over hurdles than fences but he is a better horse over the birch and he looks to have been found a good opportunity here to resume winning ways. Little Jimbob is respected as he won well over hurdles last time when beating Red Sun and he is making his chase debut today. If he jumps well then he could give the selection plenty to think about. Yankee Holiday disappointed last time but his overall record over fences is pretty good and he has solid claims of again making the frame. Kerrys Blade is a course and distance winner and could prove best of the rest, but Schinken Otto has got solid proven form over fences and he gets our vote.
Little Jimbob 9-2 (11-9) Made all, ridden clear approaching last, ran on, won at Fakenham 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Oct beating Red Sun (11-6) by 6l, 9 ran.
Schinken Otto (IRE) 9-2fav (10-8) Led, headed after 3 out, soon slightly outpaced, rallied to chase winner approaching last, kept on, 2nd of 16, 8l behind Falcon's Tribute (10-3) at Hexham 2m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf.
Yankee Holiday (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Prominent, pushed along approaching 6th, ridden and weakened before 7th, 8th of 12, 30l behind My Condor (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Sept.
Kerry's Blade (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Behind, left remote 4th when clambered over last, 4th of 13, 34l behind Randolph O'Brien (11-2) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Oct.
Sound Of Cheers 12-1 (10-9) Led, headed 5 out, weakened 3 out, 5th of 7, 33l behind Trading Trouble (11-1) at Wetherby 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Apr.
Cyborg De Sou (FR) 6-1 (11-5) Held up, outpaced 2 out, never on terms, 7th of 9, 11l behind Prince Of Pleasure (11-5) at Perth 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Jun '06.