held up, headway on outside after 11th, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out
held up towards rear, not fluent 4th, headway approaching 3rd, every chance 3 out, no impression on winner approaching 2 out, one pace
prominent, led approaching 8th, headed 11th, weakened 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, hit 12th, ridden after 3 out, staying on under pressure when not much room 2 out, went 3rd last, never nearer
chased leader to 5th, lost place when hampered 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
prominent, hit 7th and lost place, reminders after 9th, tailed off and pulled up before 12th
soon in touch, hit 7th, reminder 10th, led 3 out, clear approach 2 out, stayed on well
held up, reminders after 9th, no chance 14th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, mistake 6th, headway 11th, weakened approaching 12th, well behind when mistake 2 out, soon pulled up
held up towards rear, headway 12th, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened
held up, headway 7th, weakened approaching 12th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
led, headed approaching 8th, led 11th, headed 3 out, soon ridden, weakened last
NOTABOTHERONME makes some appeal here although there is a concern as to whether this race will come too quickly. Topless is sure to be popular whilst the likes of Super Lord, Finzi, Moustique De L'Isle and Jethro Tull could all feature. Topless hit the headlines for the wrong reasons following her run at Taunton and she is given the opportunity to atone before the handicapper can amend her mark. The quick return to action has to be a minor concern for her as it does for our selection who meets Topless on 6lb worse terms having beaten her by four and a half lengths at Chepstow. Notabotheronme has since run a fine race behind the unexposed and potentially useful Supreme Keano and is another trying to make hay before the handicapper has his say. His last three runs have been at Chepstow so he also has to prove that he can act around here but, as a progressive young chaser in a field of exposed horses, he's worth chancing. Super Lord, Moustique De L'Isle, Jethro Tull and Finzi are all suited by this sort of test as is Chopneyev who isn't a forlorn hope but Cross Compliance will need his visor to have a dramatic effect if he's to be competitive. There are slight concerns which are offputting given that he's likely to be short enough but Notabotheronme still appeals as the likeliest winner.
Topless (IRE) 9-2 (10-10) Mid-division, ridden and headway after 12th, led 3 out, drifted badly left from last then jinked right close to finish and unseated rider in race won by Pangbourne (11-3) at Taunton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs, 8 ran.
Chopneyev (FR) 11-1 (9-13) In touch, blundered and unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by Jass (10-5) at Ayr 3m 1f hcp chs (2) sft, 8 ran.
Super Lord (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) In rear, not fluent and remindes 10th and 13th, blundered 14th, weakened approaching 16th, tailed off and pulled up at the 14th in race won by Go For One (11-2) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Dec, 8 ran.
Notabotheronme (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) In rear, headway 13th, ridden 5 out, chased winner from 2 out, not reached winner, 2nd of 18, 2l behind Supreme Keano (11-7) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy.
Finzi (IRE) 12-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear, pushed along 15th, never dangerous, 8th of 13, well behind Bannister Lane (11-12) at Bangor 3m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Moustique de L'Isle (FR) 6-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, led 4th, soon headed, left 2nd 9th, weakened 16th, 7th of 13, 44l behind Bannister Lane (11-12) at Bangor 3m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Natoumba (FR) 10-1 (11-0) Towards rear, stayed on from 4 out, never troubled leaders, 4th of 11, 34l behind National Petition (9-12) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.
Cross Compliance (IRE) 9-1 (11-11) Awkward 1st, mid-division, headway 12th, ridden in 3rd when mistake 5 out, soon weakened, 8th of 11, well behind Notabotheronme (11-1) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Dec.
Just Poppytee 66-1 (10-7) Always towards rear, weakened 11th, tailed off when pulled up in race won by Kornati Kid (11-0) at Exeter 3m beg chs (3) sft in Dec, 7 ran.
Jethro Tull (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, ridden and led approaching 2 out, kept on until headed and no extra run-in, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Smart Thinker (9-11) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Dec.
Another Club Royal 40-1 (11-3) Always handy, ridden 4 out, weakening when unseated rider 3 out in race won by Seize (11-7) at Musselburgh 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Dec, 13 ran.
Zimbabwe (FR) 8-1 (9-10) Reluctant, soon driven along towards rear, driven and struggling 13th, plugged on under strong pressure until 3 out, 4th of 10, 20l behind The Ring (11-5) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Dec.
