chased leaders, not fluent 6th, went 2nd after 3 out, closed 2 out, upsides winner last, every chance thereafter, just failed
held up in 5th on outside, headway when mistake 6th, chased winner next until after 3 out, weakened before 2 out where jumped right and mistake
chased leaders, not fluent 2nd or 4th, pushed along after 7th, weakened approaching 3 out
held up in rear, effort 8th, pushed along in 5th and in touch when mistae, slithered on landing and unseated rider 3 out
made all, driven and joined last, hard pressed thereafter, just prevailed
tracked winner until 7th, driven before 3 out, 3rd and no impression on front pair 2 out
Bury Parade hasn't convinced with his jumping so far and faces no easy task here conceding weight to some progressive young chasers. Saved By John ran well at Chepstow when chasing home Sew On Target but, like Escort'men and Be Definite, will be carrying more than his allotted weight in this so we're taking PARSNIP PETE to complete the hat-trick. Despite a couple of errors, he quickened nicely to score at Newbury at the end of November having won easily at Haydock earlier and still has plenty of scope. Nobunaga really needs further than this and hasn't raced since September.
Bury Parade (IRE) 7-4fav (11-7) Tended to jump right and not always fluent, led, blundered 9th, blundered badly and joined 4 out, ridden and headed 2 out, no chance with winner when lost 2nd approaching last, edged right and weakened flat, last of 5, 15l behind Module (11-0) at Newbury 2m 2f nov chs (3) hvy in Dec.
Parsnip Pete 5-2fav (11-0) In touch, headway 8th, soon chasing leader, mistake 4 out, every chance after next, not fluent last, soon led, ran on well, won at Newbury 2m 1f Novice Handicap Chase (0-140) (4yo+) (3) sft in Nov beating Kruzhlinin (11-2) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Nobunaga 16-1 (11-2) Raced in 4th and off the pace, pushed along 9th, ridden before 11th, driven after 3 out, weakened next, blundered last, 6th of 10, 14l behind Shoegazer (11-7) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f listed hcp chs (1) sft in Sep.
Escort'men (FR) 20-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, always last, not fluent 1st, pushed along and outpaced after 4 out, soon weakened, well beaten when mistake 2 out, not fluent last, last of 3, 17l behind Tetlami (11-0) at Kempton 2m nov chs (2) gs.
Saved By John (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Soon tracked leaders, led 2 out and pressed, headed last, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Sew On Target (11-5) at Chepstow 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) hvy.
Be Definite (IRE) 6-1 (11-9) In touch, blundered 1st, slow 2nd, struggling 7th, soon detatched, rallied after 3 out, weakened next, 7th of 8, 35l behind Eastlake (11-10) at Ascot 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) hvy in Dec.