tracked leader, not fluent 2nd, lost 2nd when not fluent 9th, ridden after 12th, soon lost place, weakened before 3 out
cajoled to lead, not fluent 3rd or 11th, headed approaching 3 out, led again 2 out, idled and soon driven, edged left flat, held on
chased leaders, jumped slowly 10th and ridden, outpaced from 4 out, tried to rally before 3 out, no impression, hit fence and weakened
soon chasing leaders, not fluent 4 out, ridden before 3 out, stayed on flat, went 2nd towards finish
held up, pushed along after 9th, lost touch before next, pulled up before 12th
tracked leaders, not fluent 6th, went 2nd 9th, mistake 4 out, led before next, ridden and just headed when fell 2 out
held up in rear, steady headway from 11th, ridden and went 2nd after 2 out, not clear run flat, switched right, lost 2nd and no impression
That's The Deal appeared to be affected by his fall at Fakenham when tailed off here on his next start so may be best watched for now. Hodgson has won twice since May but is probably a few pounds high in the weights, a remark that also applies to Father Shine. LAST SHOT is in very good form and followed his victory at around this trip at Exeter, where Moorlands Jack was 4l behind, with a short-head defeat over the minimum trip at Ludlow where he may have been unlucky. He's on the same mark here and looks the one to be on.
Last Shot (FR) 11-4 (11-4) Close up in 2nd, led before 6th, pressed 2 out, headed before last, stayed on and just held close home, 2nd of 8, shd behind Zarzal (11-11) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Billy Cuckoo (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, 7th of 10, well behind Moufatango (11-8) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Oct.
Hodgson (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Took keen hold early, tracked leader, led approaching 4 out, mistake and headed 3 out, soon lost 2nd, driven and went 2nd again next, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 4, 5l behind Get It On (11-5) at Ffos Las 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (4) hvy in Oct.
Father Shine (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, headway 5 out, soon chasing clear winner stayed on approaching last, no impression, 2nd of 5, 3l behind Quito Du Tresor (11-7) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Nov.
That's The Deal (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Chased leading pair to before 10th, soon struggling and behind, tailed off 4 out, last of 4, well behind Toby Lerone (11-12) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Nov.
Moorlands Jack 7-2 (11-4) Prominent, lost place and jumped right 7th, closed from 11th, switched left approaching 3 out, 3rd and driven next, stayed on same pace last, 3rd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Last Shot (11-11) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
Tregaro (FR) 20-1 (10-4) In rear, ridden 4 out, never on terms, 5th of 10, 26l behind Italian Master (11-12) at Market Rasen 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Nov.
