in touch, ridden and weakened 12th, soon behind
held up in touch, headway to lead l7th, quickened clear 3 out, jumped left 2 out, pushed clear flat
prominent, lost pace 5th, fell 6th
led to 7th, chased leader, ridden 4 out, 3rd and held when fell last
held up towards rear, ridden 13th, lost pace 4 out, left poor 4th last, weakened flat
mid-division, ridden 12th, outpaced 13th, took poor 4th close home
chased leader, ridden 9th, weakened 13th
held up last until fell 7th
held up in mid-division, headway and chased leader 9th, close 2nd when pecked badly 4 out, rallied and stayed on from 2 out, not reach leaders
prominent, weakened 12th, pulled up before 13th
held up last, ridden and headway 13th left 2nd 4 out, kept on same pace
This decent contest could fall to Obelix De Longechaux, with Heirs de Brouage and Englishtown the pick of the others. Noel Chance is back amongst the winners and the selection can supplement a recent Newbury victory. It was an improved performance and there could be plenty more to come. Hiers de Brouage was well supported when beating Master D'Or at Chepstow last time and although posasibly in the handicapper's grip now he should still be thereabouts at the death. The bottom-weight Englishtown was certainly in need of a recent run out at Newbury and has very good claims on the pick of his past form. Alphabetical is one that is going the right way and is another to consider for the places, but Obelix de Longechaux, the youngest in the field, could be capable of much more progression and is expected to make it back to back victories.
Miss Shakira (IRE) 17-2 (10-11) Led until 3 out, rallied and every chance last, stayed on, 2nd of 8, hd behind College Ace (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Nov.
Alphabetical (IRE) 11-2 (11-3) Led until narrowly headed 2 out, chased winner until last, no extra flat, 3rd of 5, 2l behind Avitta (11-7) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Stern (IRE) 11-4fav (10-6) Held up, progress when mistake 11th, disputed 3rd 3 out, weakened before 2 out, beaten when pulled up at the last in race won by Longshanks (11-12) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Nov, 8 ran.
Saucy Night 16-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, 5th and struggling when blundered and unseated rider at the 11th in race won by Whereareyounow (10-5) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cnd hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft, 12 ran.
Terrible Tenant 7-1 (10-12) Led, ridden and headed approaching 4 out, one pace from 3 out, 4th of 6, 13l behind Rosses Point (10-5) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Nov.
Wizard of Edge 20-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, weakened approaching 5 out, 6th of 12, 24l behind Obelix De Longechaux (10-8) at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft.
Toms Gone Grey (IRE) 9-1 (10-7) Chased winner to 4th, not fluent and reminder 8th, mistake and weakened 13th, 5th of 6, well behind King Coal (10-5) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd.
He's The Gaffer (IRE) 9-2 (9-13) Held up, headway 13th, every chance 3 out, 3rd and held when left 2nd 2 out, 2nd of 7, 7l behind Deferlant (10-10) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Obelix De Longechaux (FR) 16-1 (10-8) Held up, headway approaching 4 out, ridden next, led last, kept on, won at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft beating Jack Fuller (10-10) by 2l, 12 ran.
Hiers de Brouage (FR) 5-2fav (10-12) Led, headed 2nd, led again 8th, headed briefly 11th, ridden to lead 4 out, kept on gamely appraoching last, all out, won at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Nov beating Master d'Or (11-9) by 1l, 8 ran.
Englishtown (FR) 25-1 (9-7) Always behind, 11th of 21, well behind Karanja (11-1) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Nov.
