in touch, not fluent 2nd, went 2nd 8th, challenging 3 out, ridden after 2 out, weakened over 1f out
held up, mistake 2nd, still well adrift 2 out, headway last, every chance over 2f out, weakened over 1f out
hampered 1st, soon behind, tailed off 3rd, pulled up before 6th
led, mistake 5th, very awkward, rider nearly unseated and lost iron briefly, mistake last, headed 2f out, soon beaten
fell 1st
behind from 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
always prominent, jumped slowly 4th, not fluent 8th, pushed along from 3 out, led 2f out, stayed on a drew clear after
In spite of doubts about his stamina PANCAKE should be able to outclass an ordinary bunch in this beginners' chase. Officially rated at least 30lbs ahead of all his six opponents, the six-year-old had those stamina limitations exposed when comfortably beaten at Chepstow last time, having pushed Wichita Lineman all the way prior to that. Soft ground suits, and even though he fails to convince as a stayer in better company he should still have too much for this lot. Sir Peter may emerge as the leading danger. He certainly does stay, having won over a similar trip in an Exeter handicap hurdle last year. He looked in need of the run when well beaten at Hereford on his seasonal reappearance but the yard is in better form now and he can show improvement to make the frame. Crank Hill has never won under rules and is inconsistent. He does at least like the going and stays, and he is due a decent run so might also take home some prize money. Nothing else makes any serious appeal and Pancake has to be the most likely winner.
Caspar of Tarsus (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Soon tracking leader, led 11th, headed 13th, soon ridden and weakened 2 out, 5th of 10, 30l behind Rate of Knots (10-0) at Towcester 2m 6f beg chs (5) gs in Dec.
Crank Hill 12-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, headway 14th, outpaced 16th, headway after 17th, weakened 3 out, 5th of 14, well behind Deep Quest (10-11) at Exeter 4m hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Mr Parson (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Mid-division when unseated rider at the 4th in race won by Rate of Knots (10-0) at Towcester 2m 6f beg chs (5) gs in Dec, 10 ran.
Pancake (FR) 9-4 (11-0) Not always fluent, led until approaching 4 out, soon ridden, one pace from next, 3rd of 6, 12l behind Wind Instrument (11-0) at Chepstow 3m beg chs (4) sft in Dec.
Sir Peter (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Held up, left in lead 11th, headed 14th, mistake 3 out, weakened after 3 out, 3rd of 5, 26l behind Lyes Green (11-1) at Hereford 3m 1f beg chs (4) gs in Dec.
Stockton Flyer 50-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, mistake and lost place 4th, behind from 7th, jumped right 13th but continued, 4th of 10, 19l behind Rate of Knots (10-0) at Towcester 2m 6f beg chs (5) gs in Dec.
Woodlands Genpower (IRE) 6-1 (10-6) Prominent, led after 1st, clear 3rd, headed 9th, weakened 3 out, 7th of 11, 49l behind Coda Agency (11-5) at Towcester 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Nov.
