raced keen and mistakes, blundered and led 2nd, headed 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
always behind, blundered 4 out, pulled up before next
chased leaders, led 4 out, ridden and hung left next, slight lead when fell 2 out
held up, headway approaching 4 out, weakened next
behind from halfway, pulled up before 4 out
in touch, weakened 4 out
held up, hit 3rd, weakened approaching 3 out
held up towards rear, hit 3rd, headway approaching 3 out, ridden when left 2nd 2 out, not fluent last, kept on same pace
mid-division, weakened after 3 out
chased leaders, joined leader 4 out, weakening when blundered 3 out
held up, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
led to 2nd, tracked leaders, reminders after 5th, weakened 4 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd approaching 3 out, left in lead 2 out, driven out
always behind, virtually pulled up run-in
Come On Jonny is selected ahead of Mandatum and Eurocomach. Come On Jonny was rated in three figures on the level and while that is no guarantee of success over hurdles, we can be sure that he did handle soft going in the past and he secures the nomination. Mandatum has to be respected as an inmate of the Jonjo O'Neill stable. The former Luca Cumani horse hasn't shown a lot since taking to the winter game but AP McCoy takes the ride. David Pipe's team are in good order so Eurocomach is watched in the market. Sent off at odds-on for an Irish bumper when trained by Tony Mullins, there is obviously some ability. Kova Hall showed some form on the surface for Dermot Weld so he could be expected to build on two unsuccessful efforts over hurdles, whilst Cromwell Court weakened in a Towcester bumper but shaped well enough to suggest that there is a future at this level. High Commission failed to build on a promising debut so the jury is out at present. Having considered the alternatives, Come On Jonny is given the nod.
Come On Jonny (IRE) 20-1 (9-7) In touch, ridden to lead over 2f out, soon headed, weakened approaching final furlong, 11th of 20, 14l behind Group Captain (9-5) at Windsor 1m 4f hcap (2) gs in Nov (Flat).
Cromwell Court 10-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway after 3f, ridden over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 9, 24l behind Bally Conn (11-0) at Towcester 2m nhf (6) hvy in Nov.
Eurocomach (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Mistake 1st, in touch, ridden and struggling before 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 8, 43l behind Sir Jimmy Shand (11-0) at Folkestone 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
High Commission 28-1 (10-12) Led from 1st, headed after 3rd, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 9, well behind Jack The Blaster (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Mandatum 33-1 (10-12) Always in rear, 8th of 14, well behind De Soto (10-12) at Taunton 2m 1f nov hdl (3) gs.
Ted Moss 100-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden 5th, weakened before 3 out, 9th of 18, 24l behind Thirty Five Black (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Where's Trigger 13-2 (10-5) Raced keenly, made most to 3 out, every chance next, ridden and no impression when mistake last, 5th of 10, 31l behind Edgehill (10-12) at Hexham 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Oct.
Charming Rogue 11-1 (9-0) With leader, led over 3f out, headed over 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong, 5th of 10, 6l behind Legally Fast (9-2) at Leicester 1m 4f clm (5) gf in Oct '05 (Flat).
