made all, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on, drifted right flat, driven out
tracked winner until 5th, close 3rd, nudged along when fell 3 out
held up in last pair, weakening when mistake 4 out, left remote 4th next
held up in last pair, struggling in 4th 4 out, soon weakened, left 3rd next
tracked winner from 5th, mistake 4 out, effort after 3 out, kept on, always held
A field of just five set to face the starter here, all of them with a chance, but we favour the claims of HERECOMESTHETRUTH, ahead of Kia Kaha and Pressgang. You have to forget the last outing for Paul Nicholls' runner, as he ran out at the last, having previously won on his debut over fences over a longer trip. prior to that he was going OK and jumping well. Kia Kaha, joint top weight with the selection, won at Ludlow last time out, which followed up a creditable second on his chase debut. Tony McCoy gave him a patient ride as he's still getting used to the game and he recovered from a bad blunder to win comfortably. He's the only runner on the card for Jonjo O'Neill. Pressgang usually gets placed, but hasn't really come on as hoped since winning a Newbury bumper on debut two years ago. Lightly raced, expect him to be held up too. Gary Moore's got a good strike rate here and sends out Ameeq, a well beaten second on chase debut last time out. Hill Forts Timmy was a course and distance winner a year ago when carrying top weight, but he's not progressed on from that. On his day he could be good enough, but we think Herecomesthetruth will be first home.
Herecomesthetruth (IRE) Evensfav (11-7) Raced freely, led, tendency to jump right, ridden and hard pressed from 2 out, disputing lead when ran out at the last in race won by Shining Gale (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f nov chs (2) sft in Nov, 7 ran.
Kia Kaha 9-4fav (11-1) Held up, steady headway 13th, mistake 3 out, led approaching last, comfortable, won at Ludlow 2m 4f beg chs (4) gs in Nov beating Muhtenbar (11-1) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Ameeq (USA) 25-1 (11-0) Held up, left 3rd when slightly hampered 3rd, went 2nd after next, ridden after 9th, no chance with winner from 3 out, 2nd of 5, 17l behind Doctor David (11-0) at Kempton 2m nov chs (3) gd in Nov.
Hill Forts Timmy 20-1 (11-1) Took keen hold, soon close up, chased winner 12th until weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 8, well behind Massini's Maguire (11-1) at Ascot 2m 5f beg chs (3) gd in Nov.
Pressgang 5-1 (11-8) Hit 1st, held up in rear, mistakes 4th and 9th, stayed on from 4 out, went 3rd 2 out, not reach leaders, 3rd of 9, 16l behind Buck The Legend (11-11) at Newbury 2m 2f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
