close up, blundered 13th, chased winner from last, always well held
prominent, pushed along and lost place before 8th, pulled up before 10th
mid-division, pushed along before 13th, soon outpaced
led to 4 out, one pace
mid-division, mistake 3rd, weakened from 4 out
held up mid-division, weakened before 10th
close up, led 4 out, clear before 2 out, hung left run-in, driven out
tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden before 3 out, kept on same pace
mid-division, reminders before 8th, weakened from 10th
in rear, pushed along before 7th, fell 11th
behind, headway from 3 out, went 5th 2 out, never dangerous
Seven of the 12 runners in this have already won on this stiff track so this is a competitive affair, though Cosway Spirit returns from an absence. Bebinn was well behind Jolly Boys Outing and Newton Thistle over 2m6f here on Boxing Day and that pair are closely matched today. Wicklewood's stamina will be tested over this trip while Musical Wedge looks a light of former days but old boy Victory Gunner isn't out of this and Herecomesthehollow ran his best race so far when second at Chepstow in November. TAKE THE MICK (NAP) had things sewn up a long way from home in a better race at Warwick last week and was able to coast home. He can shrug off his penalty and a big weight to follow up here.
Take The Mick 10-3 (10-13) Jumped slightly right at times, led until 10th, led next, clear from 16th, eased final 100 yards, won at Warwick 3m 2f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft beating Goodtoknow (11-12) by 14l, 8 ran.
Coolking 16-1 (10-11) With leader, hit 9th, lost place 13th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out (usual 4 out), in a race won by Itoldyou (10-11) at Plumpton 3m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft, 12 ran.
Wicklewood 14-1 (10-9) Chased leader, pushed along before 4 out, led briefly soon after 4 out, weakened quickly under pressure and pulled up before next, in a race won by Gores Island (11-12) at Lingfield 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) hvy, 9 ran.
Cosway Spirit (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Led, jumped right at times, headed 3rd, led 6th until 7th, led 9th until 12th, weakened before 4 out, tailed off, 6th of 11, well behind Bringewood Belle (9-7) at Chepstow 3m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gs in Apr.
Musical Wedge 25-1 (11-5) Slight lead until 3rd, chased leaders, reminders and lost place after 7th, struggling in rear after 10th, lost touch 12th, pulled up soon after, in a race won by Silvergrove (11-2) at Exeter 3m hcp ch 0-110 (4) sft, 10 ran.
Charming Lad (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) In touch in rear, closed 11th, challenged 4 out until next, weakened well before 2 out, 4th of 6, well behind Arbeo (11-9) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft.
Newton Thistle 1-2fav (10-11) Tracked leaders, mistake 11th, led 3 out, jumped right last, headed and stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 6, 2l behind Jolly Boys Outing (9-9) at Towcester 2m 6f hcp 0-100 (5) gs in Dec.
Herecomesthehollow (IRE) 8-1 (10-5) Held up mid-division, pushed along 8th, outpaced 10th, plugged on from 2 out, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Smart Exit (11-12) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Nov.
Bebinn (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Prominent, led 4th, headed 4 out, one pace 2 out, no extra last, 3rd of 6, 25l behind Jolly Boys Outing (9-9) at Towcester 2m 6f hcp 0-100 (5) gs in Dec.
Monty's Revenge (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Mid-division, went 3rd 5 out, chased clear leader (winner) before next, no chance from 3 out, lost remote 2nd near finish, 3rd of 9, well behind Newton Thistle (10-3) at Towcester 3m hcp 0-100 (5) sft in Dec.
Jolly Boys Outing (IRE) 8-1 (9-9) Tracked leaders on inside, took keen hold, went 2nd before 2 out, led flat, stayed on, won at Towcester 2m 6f hcp 0-100 (5) gs in Dec beating Newton Thistle (10-11) by 2l, 6 ran.
Victory Gunner (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Raced in 5th, pushed along to close 5th, challenged 7th, left in lead 12th, headed before 4 out, rallied and close 3rd when hampered by rival running out and unseated rider last, in a race won by Dixie Bull (11-0) at Ffos Las 3m hcp chs 0-100 (5) hvy, 6 ran.
