held up in mid-division, mistake 14th, not fluent 15th, weakened 16th, pulled up after 17th
in touch, mistake 1st, weakened after 17th, pulled up before 3 out
chased leader, led 13th to 17th, ridden to lead briefly approaching 3 out, every chance 2 out, kept on same pace from last
held up towards rear, blundered 11th, mistake 12th, weakened approaching 4 out
prominent, blundered badly 17th, headway and chased leaders 4 out, ridden and led 3 out, headed last, no extra flat
led, hit 5th, headed 13th, ridden and led 17th, headed approaching 3 out, one pace
held up in mid-division and jumped big early, mistake 13th, ridden and headway when pecked 4 out, challenged 3 out, led approaching last, driven out flat
Music To My Ears could be of interest on his first start since August but lack of a recent run has to be of concern and a safer bet looks to be Party Games, who gets the nod ahead of Lahinch Lad and Luneray. The selection is only a novice and might not have beaten a great deal at Huntingdon last time but that effort confirmed his current good form and a liking for fast ground so he looks the one to be on off what would appear a a fair mark. Bubble Boy has had a busy time of it with four runs last month and now looks a shade high in the weights following his win at Worcester. Keltic Lord was well held when falling last time and is probably best watched so a bigger threat is likely to come from the Paul Nicholls-trained Luneray, who is fairly consistent but may just need the run. Lahinch Lad ran with credit in similar company at Worcester last time and is another to consider but Party Games looks to be going the right way and he gets the vote.
Luneray (FR) 7-1 (11-7) Held up in touch, chased leaders after 5th, weakened flat, 5th of 13, 13l behind Ede'iff (9-10) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd in Dec.
Bubble Boy (IRE) 11-4fav (11-1) Led, blundered 8th, headed next, lost place 5 out, soon ridden, one pace, 3rd of 5, 26l behind Red Perk (9-6) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gf in Apr.
Party Games (IRE) 5-6fav (11-4) With leader, led 12th, ridden approaching 2 out, clear last, eased flat, won at Huntingdon 3m nov chs (4) gf in Apr beating Pirandello (11-4) by 4l, 5 ran.
Keltic Lord 12-1 (11-4) Held up, ridden, brief effort after 12th, weakened approaching 4 out, fell 3 out fell in race won by Glacial Delight (11-10) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) frm in Apr, 7 ran.
Music To My Ears (IRE) 5-4fav (11-8) Chased winner, mistake 9th, soon ridden and weakened, 3rd of 4, 25l behind Possextown (11-12) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-110 (E) gf in Aug.
Walter's Destiny 16-1 (9-11) Chased leaders until 9th, lost touch 14th, tailed off and pulled up 3 out in race won by Elenas River (11-4) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd, 9 ran.
Lahinch Lad (IRE) 13-2 (10-11) Mid-division, headway 12th, outpaced from 14th, stayed on flat, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Meehan (11-4) at Worcester 2m 7f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Apr.
