led until fell heavily 8th
chased leaders, went 3rd approaching 13th (water), ridden before 3 out, outpaced soon after, rallied run-in to press for 3rd
mistake 1st, chased leaders, 2nd and not fluent 7th, left in lead next, narrowly headed approaching 4 out, every chance when lost 2nd next, soon ridden, not fluent and no extra after next, mistake last, kept on to hold 3rd
chased leaders until lost place before 4th and behind, headway 8th, went 2nd 12th, led approaching 4 out, clear before last, stayed on strongly
held up in touch, left 2nd 8th, hit next, lost 2nd 12th, chased leaders, mistake and outpaced 14th, rallied approaching 4 out, pushed along in 4th when blundered badly 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, not recover
mistake 1st, in rear, headway chasing leaders 4th, left in 3rd at 8th, weakened 14th, behind 16th, tailed off
in touch, chasing leaders when ridden after 4 out, 3rd and chance 3 out, 2nd before next, ridden between last two, kept on same pace, no chance with winner
chased leader until 7th, chasing leaders when badly hampered and lost place 8th, reminders next, struggling before 13th, tailed off and pulled up before next
This looks a really tricky puzzle to solve as none can be ruled out. Handy Andy ran well for a long way in the Welsh National last time while Back In June only gave best on the run-in in the Mandarin at Newbury. Like Exeter scorer Silvergrove, he's progressing and Reblis is a proven stayer who loves the mud and is well treated at present. Saroque and Monkerty Tunkerty are closely matched on their run together behind Loch Ba here last month but Thomas Wild reappears after a break on a career-high mark. BIG SOCIETY thrives when conditions are at their most testing. He's sure to have benefited from his run at Exeter in November and is fancied to come out on top today.
Saroque (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Led narrowly to 3rd, in touch, lead again 7th, hard pressed 2 out, soon ridden, headed when mistake last, no extra flat, 2nd of 9, 6l behind Loch Ba (11-8) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Handy Andy (IRE) 14-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, every chance 4 out, weakened from next, 6th of 19, 24l behind Emperor's Choice (10-8) at Chepstow 3m 5f Grade 3 hcp chs (4yo+) (1) hvy in Dec.
Big Society (IRE) 11-4fav (11-12) Not fluent 1st, pressed leader, 4 lengths down in 2nd when ridden 3 out, rallied approaching last, kept on and every chance flat, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 7, 2 1/4l behind Russe Blanc (10-11) at Exeter 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Nov.
Monkerty Tunkerty 8-1 (11-4) Behind, struggling 12th, headway 16th, chased leading pair after 4 out, kept on same pace, not reach front pair, 3rd of 9, 7l behind Loch Ba (11-8) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Thomas Wild 8-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway 13th, jumped left and hampered 15th, went 2nd 4 out, 3 lengths down last, stayed on, unable to challenge, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Dark Glacier (11-8) at Stratford 3m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in May.
Reblis (FR) 11-2 (11-1) Mid-division, driven 10th, chased leaders 14th, outpaced when hit 3 out (usual 4 out), soon ridden, kept on under pressure from last, went 3rd near finish, 3rd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Itoldyou (10-11) at Plumpton 3m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft.
Silvergrove 6-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, went 2nd 3 olut, led approaching last, came clear flat, eased close home, won at Exeter 3m hcp ch 0-110 (4) sft beating Buddy Love (11-0) by 4l, 10 ran.
Back In June 10-1 (10-0) Slight lead until 3 out, chased leader, every chance last, chased winner run-in, held when slightly hampered and switched right in closing stages, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Knockanrawley (11-12) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
