mid-division, headway approaching 6th, weakened next
chasing leader when hit 1st, lost place 5th, stayed on flat
held up, raced wide and headway after 5th, jumped slowly 7th, weakened before next
held up towards rear, ridden approaching 6th, soon struggling, blundered 3 out
held up, headway after 5th, went 2nd 4 out, led approaching 3 out, clear 2 out, mistake last, comfortably
led, jumped right 1st but soon clear, reduced advantage before 6th, headed approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out
jumped right, chased leader from 2nd until after 5th, went 2nd again 6th until 4 out, weakened after 3 out
held up in touch, went 2nd after 5th until next, ridden to chase winner again approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace
A tough race to call here for punters with very little between many of the leading lights but the principals look to be Serpentine Rock, Terre de Java and East Tycoon and the narrow vote is given to Terre de Java. The selection was a fair fifth behind South Bronx last time out, he is sure to have come on for the run and with his yard now in top form he looks a value bet in an open affair. Serpentine Rock rates the main danger on his best form but he may just need the run after a 304-day absence and he is taken on with this in mind. East Tycoon is well weighted on his best form but he continues to be let down by his jumping when full pressure is applied and he is taken on with this in mind. Of the remainder Four Schools represents shrewd connections and is worth a cautionary look in the market but for the winner we return to Terre de Java to small stakes.
East Tycoon (IRE) 33-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, stayed on from 2 out, never troubled leaders, 7th of 15, 21l behind Desert Quest (11-12) at Ascot 2m hcp hdl (2) gf in Oct.
Serpentine Rock 7-1 (10-7) Prominent, lost place and mistake 6th, soon weakened pulled up 3 out in race won by Cerium (11-2) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp chs (2) gd in Feb, 5 ran.
Terre de Java (FR) 12-1 (11-4) Towards rear, headway 4 out, effort next, 5 lengths down and held in 4th place when blundered last, no extra, 5th of 9, 16l behind South Bronx (11-0) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in May.
Executive Decision (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) Held up, ridden and outpaced from 5 out, 4th of 6, 24l behind Launde (11-9) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
Misty Dancer 12-1 (10-6) Held up, headway after 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 8th of 11, 20l behind Crossbow Creek (11-10) at Kempton 2m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Oct.
Syroco (FR) 9-2 (11-10) Chased leader, hit 2nd and 4th, ridden and every chance approaching 2 out, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 9, 2l behind Golden Duck (10-11) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Nov.
Four Schools (IRE) 4-1 (10-11) Held up in touch, headway 5 out, hit 4 out, never dangerous after, 4th of 7, 17l behind Ever Present (11-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Jupon Vert (FR) 8-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 8th, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened last, 4th of 9, 5l behind Golden Duck (10-11) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Nov.
