held up, slipped up on bend approaching 3 out
mid-division, headway 6th, pushed along after next, chased winner after 3 out, no impression
held up in touch, raced keenly, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
always prominent, led 3rd, drew clear after 3 out, ridden after next, stumbled last, driven out
held up in touch, 3rd when jumped slowly 3 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, stumbled 4th, hampered on bend after 7th, good headway 3 out, went 2nd briefly soon after, weakening when stumbled last
led to 3rd, lost place approaching 6th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up in rear, headway 7th, slightly hampered on bend soon after, weakened approaching 2 out
prominent, chased winner after 3rd until mistake 3 out, soon weakened, well behind when pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear, ridden 7th, headway after 3 out, one pace approaching last
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Down The Stretch won well at Taunton but he looks worth taking on under his penalty in a stronger race; Bolachoir is our idea of the winner. The selection has impressed in winning two Hunter Chases before being stepped up into handicap company at Newbury last time. He got no further than the fifth on that occasion but he jumped well when recording his two wins earlier in the season and a clear round should see him go close. Lord Ryeford merits consideration with his yard going so well as does Alright Now M'Lad as he's back on a decent mark if he can bounce back to his best. Pretty Star doesn't win very often but has enough form in the book to make him of interest whilst Scribano Eile has his share of ability but could never be backed with any confidence and Kilmackilloge could emerge as a bigger danger given that he was able to beat Fundamentalist in October. This has an open look to it but a clear round should be enough to see Bolachoir in the firing line.
Bolachoir (IRE) 9-4fav (11-12) Chased leaders, mistake 3rd, close up when fell at the 5th in race won by Appleaday (11-1) at Newbury 3m nov hcp chs (3) gd, 7 ran.
Aleron (IRE) 40-1 (11-12) Close up, outpaced approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 11, 35l behind Star Beat (9-12) at Doncaster 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Mar.
Young Collier 12-1 (11-10) Led 2nd until 4th, chased leaders, ridden after 9th, soon beaten, 3rd of 8, 17l behind Major Euro (9-11) at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Mar.
Pretty Star (GER) 7-1 (11-12) Prominent, ridden 2 out, weakened last, 4th of 11, 9l behind Native Coral (11-5) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Mar.
Down The Stretch 14-1 (11-10) Held up behind, headway approaching 11th, led after 3 out, drew clear after next, comfortably, won at N Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd beating Master d'Or (11-9) by 11l, 12 ran.
Lord Ryeford (IRE) 20-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders until weakened 3 out, 10th of 20, 16l behind Finger Onthe Pulse (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov hcp chs (1) gs in Mar.
Kilmackilloge 7-2 (10-0) Led, headed approaching last, weakened flat, 4th of 6, 15l behind Marcel (10-1) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs (2) gd in Mar.
Kilrogan (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) In touch, ridden approaching 13th, steadily weakened, 6th of 16, 24l behind Kew Jumper (10-13) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd.