led until 7th, stayed close up until after 3 out, weakened approaching last
chased leaders, mistake and hampered 5th, lost several places, closed approaching 3 out, went 2nd before 2 out, no chance with winner
chased leaders, fell 5th
always in rear, tailed off 4 out, pulled up before last
chased leader until approaching 6th, lost place when not fluent 7th, soon behind, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, headway 4th, led 7th, came clear approaching 2 out, stayed on well
mid-division, headway 6th, weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up before next
held up in rear, headway 4th, disputing 3rd and beaten when hit 2 out, one pace
towards rear, blundered 5th, behind 7th, pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, hampered 5th, headway next, ridden after 8th, weakened approaching 2 out
Owner Occupier was readily brushed aside off this mark at Chepstow last time but Irish Guard has to be of interest. Back to form when scoring by nine lengths at Leicester last time, the nine-year-old has a good record at this track albeit over longer distances. But the one to beat is surely HANDTHEPRIZEOVER, who is still improving judged on a facile victory over C&D last month. That was only his second start over fences so the fact that he's been raised 10lb by the handicapper may not be too significant at this level. Riddleofthesands and Sawpit Supreme represent powerful yards but both were well beaten on their seasonal reappearance and may need more time.
Riddleofthesands (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Led, mistake 4 out, ridden and headed before 3 out, soon no chance with leading pair, lost moderate 3rd flat, 4th of 8, 25l behind Cadoudalas (11-8) at Chepstow 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Nov.
Handtheprizeover 9-4fav (11-12) Prominent, challenged 7th, not fluent 4 out, led next, soon clear, eased towards finish, won at Towcester 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft in Nov beating Rince Donn (11-2) by 17l, 6 ran.
Owner Occupier 14-1 (11-12) Chased leader, narrow lead after 5 out, blundered and headed 4 out, chased winner until next, soon no impression in 3rd under pressure, left moderate 2nd and stumbled last, 2nd of 9, 8l behind Rimini (11-10) at Chepstow 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Nov.
Karasakal (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, pushed along before 11th, weakened after 12th, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Flemish Invader (11-9) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
Devils River (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Jumped right, led not fluent 4th, headed 6th, went badly right next, weakened next, soon lost touch, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Near The Water (11-12) at Lingfield 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Nov, 6 ran.
Irish Guard 10-3 (11-9) Chased leader, challenged 3rd, led 9th, jumped left 2 out, ridden out, won at Leicester 2m 4f cnd hcp chs (0-95) (5) gd in Nov beating Donald Will Do (10-13) by 9l, 3 ran.
Sawpit Supreme 15-2 (11-12) Held up in touch, went 4th 5th, weakened 3 out, 4th of 7, well behind Bobby Bullock (10-11) at Towcester 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Nov.
Organiz (FR) 22-1 (10-1) Always behind, pulled up when tailed off before 3 out, in a race won by Cantabilly (11-3) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Oct, 15 ran.
Mujamead 16-1 (11-3) Mid-division, pushed along 4 out, soon no impression, 10th of 11, 38l behind Marias Rock (11-0) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp 0-90 (5) gs.
Kinkeel (IRE) 250-1 (11-7) In rear, lost touch 6th, soon tailed off, last of 9, well behind Master Minded (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m Grade 1 chs (4yo+) (1) gs.
