pressed winner, hit 4 out, ridden before next, kept on same pace, no chance with winner from 2 out
chased front pair, struggling 5 out, lost modest 3rd next, no danger after, well beaten in 4th when fell last
soon detatched in last pair, close up 8th, weakened 5 out, tailed off when pulled up before next
made all, drew clear from 2 out, unchallenged when mistake last, comfortably
soon detatched in last pair, close up 8th, mistake 10th, outpaced after 5 out, went modest 3rd next, jumped right from 2 out, no chance with front pair
John Groucott is trying to strike while the iron is hot with recent Ludlow and Leicester winner Truckers Highway, who will probably try and make all again. But he's no certainty under a penalty with last month's Ffos Las scorer Bobble Boru capable of going close if in the mood. BIG JIM needs to polish up his jumping but he still has time on his side and ran well, despite the mistakes, here last time. He could be the value if the penny has dropped.
Big Jim 14-1 (11-11) Led 2nd, bad mistake 12th, hit 4 out and headed, weakening when clambered over 2 out, 3rd of 7, 23l behind Friendly Royal (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Bobble Boru (IRE) 13-2 (10-13) Tracked leaders, jumped left 3rd, lost place next, plugged on into modest 3rd when blundered 3 out, mistake and weakened next, pulled up before last, at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Spring Steel (IRE) 50-1 (11-3) Took keen hold towards rear, slow 6th, pushed along 8th, weakened 10th, behind when pulled up 4 out, at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Truckers Highway (IRE) 3-1fav (11-0) Jumped left at times, made all, clear before last, stayed on, won at Leicester 2m hcp (4) gs in Dec beating Thoonavolla (10-13) by 6l, 12 ran.
Modeligo (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, not fluent 1st or 6th, mistake 13th, ridden and modest effort after 15th, no impression, well beaten 4 out, 6th of 10, 30 1/2l behind King's Song (11-2) at Ludlow 3m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
