mid-division until weakened 8th, struggling when blundered next, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out
chased clear leader, closing and challenging when left in lead 3 out, headed on long run to 2 out, soon no chance with ready winner
in rear, tailed off 7th, 6th and no chance when hampered and unseated rider 3 out
held up towards rear, steady headway to chase leaders 8th, left in close 2nd 3 out, led on long run to 2 out, in command 2 out, easily
towards rear, in rear when blundered badly and nearly unseated rider 8th, tailed off when pulled up approaching 9th
held up in rear, headway from 9th, left modest 4th 3 out, no chance with front trio on long run to next, tailed off
chased leaders, pushed along after 8th, ridden and one pace before 2 out, poor 3rd when blundered last
never travelling in rear, under pressure and struggling in 7th, tailed off when blundered 9th, pulled up before next
mid-division, hit 5th, reminders 7th, in rear and struggling after next, tailed off when pulled up before 11th
took keen hold, led and soon clear, reduced lead 10th, looked tired in narrow lead when went badly left and fell 3 out
mistake 2nd, behind, blundered 9th, struggling 12th, 6th and struggling after 3 out, poor 5th when tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
always in rear, tailed off after 8th, pulled up before 10th
chased leaders, weakened quickly, pulled up before 9th
Another wide open affair and SOUTH BANK could appreciate this drop in grade and we take him to account for Sea Saffron and Lavenoak Lad. Henrietta Knight has always held this chaser in high regard but unfortunately he has not repaid the trainer's confidence just yet. He has dropped a further 3lb in the handicap since falling at Newbury and if he can keep his feet on terra firma, we are hopeful of a good run at fair odds. Sea Saffron has to be respected as a course winner. His victory came when fresh so an absence should not be of much concern to his followers. Lavenoak Lad has plenty of weight for what he has achieved though has proven form with the mud flying. Ultimate Limit benefitted from the handicapper's benevolence to score twice last term. He is another to return from absence though has shown plenty of aptitude first time out. More The Merrier has been a little disappointing this season and is tried in first time cheekpieces today. Marigolds Way has shown well at this course previously and of those at longer odds, has place claims. Guitar Rory was a maiden for Jessica Harrington and has yet to change that status. Plenty of imponderables with regard to match fitness so the market has to be consulted, though with South Bank having had the benefit of those outings, he is our selection.
South Bank (IRE) 16-1 (10-4) Led to 5th, stayed close up, ridden 8th, weakening when fell 10th, in a race won by Hey Big Spender (11-12) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Nov, 14 ran.
More The Merrier (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, weakened 5 out, 5th of 8, well behind Richard's Sundance (11-0) at Exeter 3m beg chs (4) sft.
Tokpela (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, behind 11th, effort 14th, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 21l behind Sullumo (11-3) at Uttoxeter 3m beg chs (4) hvy in Nov.
Ultimate Limit 85-40fav (11-0) Held up, headway from 8th, badly hampered by loose horse and unseated after 10th, in a race won by Stagecoach Amber (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Apr, 9 ran.
Guitar Rory (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) Jumped right, pressed leader until led after 2nd, headed when fell 4 out, in a race won by Magot De Grugy (11-9) at Chepstow 2m 3f cond hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Nov, 5 ran.
Marigolds Way 16-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway after 8th, ridden to chase leaders approaching 2 out, one pace, 7th of 13, 32l behind Alfred's Tower (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Apr.
Lavenoak Lad 8-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, making headway approaching 14th, close 2nd approaching 4 out, still 2nd last, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Present M'lord (11-7) at Exeter 4m hcp chs 0-120 (3) hvy.
Buailteoir (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Held up in last, not fluent 4th, mistake 8th, soon tailed off, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Fighting Chance (11-12) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp 0-100 (4) sft in Nov, 6 ran.
Heart Springs 33-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, outpaced after 3 out, plugged on from 2 out, 4th of 9, 17l behind Sea Cadet (10-8) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Nov.
Rudivale (IRE) 40-1 (10-11) Mistakes, jumped left and always behind, pulled up before 13th, in a race won by Plein Pouvoir (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft, 14 ran.
Red Rattle (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Held up, blundered 9th, tailed off from 12th, 9th of 14, well behind Absolute Shambles (10-7) at Huntingdon 3m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs.
Sea Saffron 7-2 (11-0) Held up, headway after 4 out, soon ridden, went 2nd 3 out, led approaching last, stayed on well, won at Taunton 2m 3f hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Mar beating Kirbys Glen (10-8) by 6l, 9 ran.
Ross Leader (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) In touch, chased winner 3rd until 10th, weakened approaching 3 out, 9th of 10, 22l behind Senor Shane (10-7) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy.
