made all, clear flat, stayed on well
raced keenly, tracked leaders, 2nd before 6th, challenged 11th, ridden before 2 out, no impression flat
chased leaders, slow 1st and 2nd, mistakes and awkward after, reminder and detached 6th, well beaten 4 out
pressed winner until before 6th, 3rd after, not fluent 10th or 4 out, mistake 3 out, weakened next
Another small field but this is more competitive than the opener. Forever My Friend is only 3lb higher having followed up his Cartmel victory with a win at Market Rasen so a hat-trick isn't out of the question. Tangolan has been alternating between fences and hurdles to good effect and is another with solid claims. Polisky is unlikely to fail through lack of fitness and his only success over fences so far came over course and distance just under a year ago, though he's still 2lb higher. HOUSTON DYNIMO is eased in grade after failing to figure over 3m at Chepstow on Sunday. He, like Polisky, has a modest strike rate over fences but will strip fitter today and the handicapper is starting to ease his grip. Gentleman Jon has ability but often finds the larger obstacles getting in the way.
Gentleman Jon 5-1fav (10-12) With winner, reminders and lost 2nd place before 6 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 4 out, at Newton Abbot 2m 5f (3) gd in Apr.
Polisky (FR) 11-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, lost place approaching and jumped slowly 12th, soon no impression, modest 3rd, 3rd of 4, 31 1/4l behind Puffin Billy (11-8) at Ascot 2m 5f (3) gs in Mar.
Tangolan (IRE) 3-1fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 12th, ridden to join winner 2 out, kept on one pace flat, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Here I Am (10-6) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Houston Dynimo (IRE) 14-1 (10-2) In rear, weakened before 3 out, 6th of 9, 16 1/2l behind Danimix (10-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Forever My Friend (IRE) 3-1fav (11-12) Led after 1st, headed 8th, led next, mistake and headed last, led again flat, driven out, won at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Sep beating Master Neo (11-11) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
