held up, struggling halfway, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
tracked leaders, led 5 out, clear from next
tracked leader, led 9th, headed 5 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up in touch, mistake 5th, in 2nd and ridden when fell 3 out
behind, struggling halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
led to 9th, ridden 4 out, left poor 2nd 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, blundered 8th, ridden 4 out, took poor 2nd last, no impression
tracked leaders, blundered and unseated rider 2nd
held up, fell 4th
always toward rear, struggling from halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 5 out
tracked leaders, outpaced from 11th, one pace from 3 out, no impression
mid-division, headway approaching 7th, ridden 4 out, one pace from next, no impression
tracked leaders, driven along after 9th, weakened from next, pulled up before 5 out
held up, blundered and unseated rider 2nd
Baron Blitzkrieg gets the vote in this handicap chase to open the card with Jolly Boy and Caesarean Hunter rated as the main dangers. The selection was the subject of strong support on his chasing bow last time out and he jumped well throughout and was an impressive winner defeating Lucky Sinna. He looks the type who should have a future over fences and he looks capable of defying a penalty to score with ground conditions to suit. Jolly Boy rates as the main danger as he enjoyed a prolific autumn winning five times, but he has risen in the weights as a consequence and for that reason we will take him on. Caesarean Hunter would have claims on the pick of his form over hurdles but it remains to be seen whether he can translate that to the bigger obstacles and he is probably best watched today. Twenty Degrees may prove best of the remainder, but for the winner we will return to Baron Blitzkrieg.
Caesarean Hunter (USA) 11-4fav (11-5) Towards rear, never dangerous, last of 9, well behind Mr Midaz (11-4) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jan.
Jolly Boy (FR) 3-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, led 7th, ridden and headed after 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Green Ideal (11-9) at Ayr 2m 4f cnd hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan, 7 ran.
Seeyaaj 40-1 (10-10) In touch, outpaced 4 out, weakened after next, 4th of 6, well behind Kid'z'play (11-12) at Perth 2m 4f nov chs (D) gf in Jul.
Twenty Degrees 5-1 (11-2) Held up, headway to dispute 2nd from 2 out, mistake last, no impression, 3rd of 7, 9l behind The Outlier (11-2) at Folkestone 2m 5f mdn chs (4) gs in Jan.
Kingfisher Sunset 20-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, chased winner from 6th until weakened 3 out, beaten when fell at the 15th in race won by Bang And Blame (10-9) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Jan, 12 ran.
Been Here Before 40-1 (11-0) Held up, chased clear pair from 7th, went poor 2nd after last, 2nd of 6, well behind Monet's Garden (11-10) at Carlisle 2m nov chs (3) sft.
Baron Blitzkrieg 11-2 (10-1) Held up, headway 7th, led approaching 3 out, clear last, eased flat, won at Hereford 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs beating Lucky Sinna (10-9) by 4l, 14 ran.
Moorland Monarch 7-2 (10-7) Tracked leaders, ridden 8th, weakened 4 out, 5th of 9, 38l behind Advance East (10-2) at Chepstow 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Jan.
