prominent, led 7th, headed just after 3 out, soon weakened
took keen hold, not jumped well, always behind, tailed off when blundered and unseated rider 4 out
chased leaders, led just after 3 out, ridden approaching last, jinked left to paddock exit flat, found extra, driven out
in touch, weakened 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
prominent, mistake 1st, jumped left 4th, weakened 7th, tailed off when blundered badly 3 out, soon pulled up
led to 7th, still every chance 3 out, weakened last
held up, went modest 5th 9th, never dangerous
held up, behind from 6th
in rear, reminders after 4th, no chance from 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up in rear on outside, behind from 6th
Nonrunner
A handicap chase that is not high on quality and THIEVERY is taken to get back to winning ways, with Folie A Deux and Shelomoh potential dangers. The Henry Daly-trained selection races from the same mark as when comfortably beaten last time, but he was badly hampered that day and we are prepared to forgive him that run and concentrate on the positives of back-to-back wins that preceeded it. Trip and ground suit him and in all honesty he doesn't have stiff competition so we will side with him. Folie A Deux went close at Newcastle last time and today's pilot Tony McCoy has already steered him into the frame at Exeter last year. This stiff two miles should suit, as will the ground and he is respected. Shelomoh also performed well at Newcastle last time, when he showed his best form over fences thus far. Trainer Jim Turner prefers the slow, patient build up with his runners and he will probably be rewarded with a win soon, though perhaps not today. Guns Of Love was runner-up in a very poor Folkestone race last month and we don't expect him to break his maiden tag this time around, while Red Jester may be a better proposition. He loves it here, having won twice over course and distance, and he does go well fresh, so he is not out of it. The rest fail to inspire and Thievery gets the vote.
Thievery 4-1jt-fav (10-12) Held up in rear, not fluent 2nd, mistake 8th, headway and left 4th when hampered 2 out, one pace, 4th of 12, 7l behind Laharna (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Dec.
Folie A Deux (IRE) 5-4fav (10-13) Made most, headed 4 out, soon ridden, left 3 lengths 2nd last, kept on, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 7, 1l behind More Like It (11-8) at Newcastle 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Manolo (FR) 5-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, hit 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 10, 38l behind Mr Tambourine Man (10-5) at N Abbot 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Jun '06.
Shelomoh (IRE) 7-1 (10-9) In touch, outpaced when hit 4 out, soon ridden, left 4 lengths 3rd last, rallied flat, took 2nd near finish, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind More Like It (11-8) at Newcastle 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Mickwell Bay 28-1 (10-4) In touch, dropped to last 4th, hampered 7th, stayed on same pace from 2 out, 4th of 7, 14l behind Battlefield (9-12) at Leicester 2m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Millenium Mag (FR) 20-1 (11-8) Towards rear, mistake 3rd, behind when pulled up at the 9th in race won by Apocalozzo (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs (5) gf in May, 9 ran.
Poliglotti (FR) 25-1 (11-0) Mid-division, jumped right 2nd, hampered 3rd, weakened 8th, mistake 2 out, 8th of 14, well behind Pret A Thou (11-4) at Hereford 2m nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Dec.
Lescer's Lad 22-1 (10-0) Always behind, 7th of 16, 31l behind Constantius (10-2) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Dec.
Riccardo (IRE) 33-1 (9-13) Prominent, lost place after 8th, tailed off after 10th, 6th of 8, well behind Little Shilling (11-7) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Dec.
The Walnut Tree (IRE) 66-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, left 2nd 6th, ridden 11th, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 13, 37l behind Zanzibar Boy (11-4) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Dec.
Log On Intersky (IRE) 11-1 (9-7) Tracked leader, lost place 10th, hard ridden before 4 out, soon beaten, 7th of 8, well behind Mattaking (10-5) at Fakenham 2m 5f amt hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd.
Red Jester 7-1 (11-3) Led until 11th, soon ridden, weakened after next, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Cebonne (11-7) at N Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Aug, 7 ran.
Guns of Love (IRE) 11-4fav (9-11) Led, clear 8th, pecked 3 out, 2nd flat, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Himba (10-5) at Folkestone 2m nov hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs in Dec.
