held up in last, headway after 3 out, ridden to chase winner last, no extra flat
led, not fluent 1st, headed 15th, pushed along from 4 out, every chance approaching 2 out, weakened last
held up in 4th, went 3rd and not fluent 14th, closed on leading pair approaching 16th, outpaced 18th, rallied 3 out, led approaching 2 out, stayed on well flat
mistakes, held up in 3rd until 14th, oupaced 16th, rallied 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
chased leader, led 15th, blundered 3 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
Mr Dow Jones, Curly Spencer and King Bee are three against the field in this competitive handicap chase and the vote is given to Curly Spencer. The selection won well last time out when beating Herecomestanley, that form has since been franked and although he is rising in the weights he has won off a higher mark in the past and under conditions that suit he will be hard to beat. Mr Dow Jones rates the main danger on his best form but he just gave the impression the handicaper had caught up with him when fourth behind Deferlant last time and is taken on with this in mind. King Bee is another that could go well but he has been let down by his jumping of late so can not be put forward with any confidence. Of the remainder Jaloux d'Estruval is dropping in class and could go well at a price but his overall profile leaves him with a little to find and for the winner we return to Curly Spencer.
Glen Warrior 40-1 (11-4) Always behind, lost touch 5th, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Twelve Paces (10-5) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Oct, 16 ran.
King Bee (IRE) 20-1 (10-1) Leading when fell in race won by Eurotrek (11-7) at Aintree 3m 2f lst hcp chs (1) gd in Nov, 21 ran.
Mr Dow Jones (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Held up, reminders 13th, brief effort 15th, weakened before 3 out, 4th of 7, 36l behind Deferlant (10-10) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Jaloux d'Estruval (FR) 25-1 (11-7) Always last, hit 9th, lost touch 13th, tailed off, last of 4, well behind Cornish Sett (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m Grad Ch (2) gs in Nov.
Curly Spencer (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Chased leader, led approaching 9th, clear 3 out, stayed on well, won at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov beating Herecomestanley (11-3) by 6l, 8 ran.