mid-division, ridden after 6th, weakened after 7th, pulled up before 10th
held up, ridden and weakened 4 out, blundered 3 out, pulled up after
with leader, led 10th, headed approaching 3 out, ridden to lead 2 out, kept on gamely flat
led to 10th, ridden 4 out, soon weakened
chased leader, ridden and weakened 11th, pulled up before 3 out
towards rear, headway after 10th, chased leader 4 out, led 3 out, headed 2 out, rallied last, no extra flat
held up, headway 9th, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
in touch, blundered 8th and 9th, ridden approaching 10th, weakened 4 out
mid-division, ridden and lost touch 8th, pulled up before 11th
There are a good number to consider but none who boast rock solid credentials. RAFFAELLO is the reluctant suggestion with Oscatello and Fair Point two of several others with claims. Bertie May was well backed to make a winning debut over fences but got no further than the first. This race would appear to be more competitive and so he's discarded. Fair Point made Hennessy work to land the spoils at Folkestone; the winner did nothing for the form next time but the third came out and won well at this track. Gentle Ranger was a warm order to win a beginners race at Sedgefield but the Irish point winner was soon in trouble and finished tailed off. The yard is going better but stamina would appear to be his forte and he may prefer a stiffer test. It's In The Stars will need to improve whilst Oscatello is an interesting recruit to chasing having finished fourth in the 2007 Coral Cup but he hasn't had much racing of late. Neither has Raffaello who hasn't been seen since falling in a novices' chase at Chepstow in 2006. He looked a promising sort during his four career starts as one might expect and it's significant that connections have persevered with him. Victor Dartnall is still awaiting his first winner since re-opening for business and Russian Trigger himself was disappointing on his first start over fences back in November. He has ability but hasn't always looked straightforward and wore cheekpieces for the first time that day. Ifs and buts abound then but Raffaello is probably the safest option.
Bertie May 5-2fav (10-7) fell in race won by Saphir Des Bois (10-8) at Wincanton 2m 5f nov chs (3) gs in Jan, 8 ran.
Cold Mountain (IRE) 28-1 (10-5) Held up, ridden 4 out, one pace, 4th of 8, 12l behind Saphir Des Bois (10-8) at Wincanton 2m 5f nov chs (3) gs in Jan.
Fair Point (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Disputed 2nd, led 5th until 8th, chased leader, hit 13th, disputing 3rd when blundered 2 out, soon hanging right, stayed on under pressure flat, took 2nd last strides, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Hennessy (11-0) at Folkestone 3m 1f beg chs (4).
Gentle Ranger (IRE) 11-10fav (11-2) Tracked leader, led 6th, headed 11th, soon weakened, tailed off, 9th of 12, well behind Banoge (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mdn chs (4) gs in Nov.
It's In The Stars 10-1 (11-0) Led, blundered 2nd, headed 4th, mistake next, led 9th, headed 14th, mistake and weakened 3 out, left moderate 2nd last, 2nd of 8, 9l behind Dream Garden (11-3) at Leicester 2m 7f nov chs (3) gs in Dec.
Oscatello (USA) 16-1 (11-3) Mid-division, ridden after 3 out, weakened and behind when hit 2 out, 10th of 19, 30l behind Mister Gloss (11-7) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Raffaello (FR) 6-4fav (11-4) In touch, mistake and rider lost irons 2nd, steady headway from 11th, ridden and narrow leader when fell 3 out in race won by Afrad (11-4) at Chepstow 2m 3f beg chs (4) sft in Dec '06, 10 ran.
Russian Trigger 4-1 (11-0) Prominent, chased leader 5th, reminder 7th, ridden after 14th, weakened 3 out, 3rd of 7, 23l behind Kornati Kid (11-0) at Exeter 3m beg chs (3) sft in Dec.
Vanormix (FR) 14-1 (11-7) In touch, weakened approaching 6th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Low Delta (11-12) at Towcester 2m 3f amt hcp hdl (5) sft in Jan, 15 ran.
