held up, weakened from 8th
led to 6th, oupaced from 4 out
mistakes, behind, reminders from 4th, pulled up before 9th
chased leaders, led 8th, headed 2 out, no chance with winner
chased leaders, weakened from 9th
with leader, weakened from 5 out
held up and keen, led 6th, headed 8th, led again 2 out, clear next
held up, chased leaders 7th, in 5th and ridden when fell 2 out
in touch, ridden after 4 out, weakened from 3 out
always behind
Top weight Urban Tiger gets a tentative vote in a trappy contest as he takes up his engagement in this race rather than the following novices' race. Carl Llewellyn's runner had been off the track since May prior to finishing second to Fabulous Jet on his chase bow at Hereford. The winner has run two decent races since then to frank the form whilst the selection, although well beaten, did finish clear of a decent yardstick in third. He's yet to win over obstacles but there should be more to come from him. High Life should appreciate this quicker ground and the booking of Liam Treadwell for Spiritual Society takes the eye but cases of varying strength could be made for all ten runners. Not an easy start then but we'll hope that Urban Tiger gets us off to a winning one.
Urban Tiger (GER) 11-1 (11-8) Held up, headway to go 3rd 4 out, chased winner approaching 3 out, ridden and carried head awkwardly before 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 11, 13l behind Fabulous Jet (11-10) at Hereford 2m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs.
Beau Torero (FR) 16-1 (11-11) Led, hit 7th, blundered 3 out, headed approaching next, weakening when mistake last, 3rd of 10, 19l behind Oiseau de Nuit (11-3) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Jan.
High Life 10-1 (10-11) Mid-division, effort 4 out, weakened 3 out, 3rd of 13, 16l behind Gentle John (11-5) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Jan.
Billyandi (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Prominent, ridden to challenge approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 10, 31l behind Oiseau de Nuit (11-3) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Jan.
Romany Dream 20-1 (9-11) Led, mistake 11th, ridden after 4 out, headed approaching 3 out, kept on one pace to regain 2nd from last, 2nd of 8, 11l behind Lidjo De Rouge (10-1) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Jan.
Syroco (FR) 33-1 (10-13) Towards rear, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Gentle John (11-5) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Jan, 13 ran.
Spiritual Society (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Raced keenly in touch, effort after 4th, led 3 out, headed next, weakened flat, 4th of 8, 11l behind Stormy Beech (11-7) at Catterick 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Dec.
Ground Breaker 22-1 (11-8) Chased leaders until 7th, soon behind and pulled up 4 out in race won by Aheadofhistime (10-4) at Chepstow 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs, 17 ran.
Barton Sun (IRE) 6-1 (10-10) In touch, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, no impression approaching next, 5th of 12, 24l behind Sheikhman (11-8) at Sedgefield 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) hvy.
Silvo (NZ) 8-1 (9-11) Towards rear, headway when jumped left 3 out, soon ridden and one pace, 4th of 9, 14l behind Mibleu (11-7) at Leicester 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Dec.
