After rattling up a hat-trick at Taunton in bumpers and hurdles, SOUTHFIELD STONE (NAP) was sent to Sandown for a Grade 1 and was far from disgraced in finishing third. Though giving weight to all of his rivals here, Paul Nicholls’ novice is impossible to oppose. Colditz Castle looks the one for forecast-backers having shown improvement when third over course and distance earlier this month though Colin Tizzard’s pair, Carrick Roads and Kauto The King, have also shown promise. Midnight Midge won a novices’ handicap here on Boxing Day but is thoroughly exposed.
Southfield Stone 6-1 (11-7) Chased winner, pushed along before 2 out, lost 2nd and no extra in 3rd before the last, 3rd of 5, 3 3/4l behind Elixir De Nutz (11-7) at Sandown 2m (1) sft in Jan.
Midnight Midge 4-1jfav (11-9) Close up, hampered 1st, led 5 out, headed before 2 out, weakened run-in, 6th of 15, 14 1/4l behind Texan Nomad (11-0) at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (4) gd in Jan.
Captain Marmalade (IRE) 200-1 (11-5) Off the pace in mid-division, lost place 4th, towards rear and struggling next, tailed off, 7th of 12, dist behind Khage (11-5) at Taunton 2m mdn (4) gd in Jan.
Carrick Roads (IRE) 40-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway chasing leaders after 3 out, went 2nd before the last, ridden and strong challenge near finish, just failed, 2nd of 12, shd behind My Destiny (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 3f mdn (5) gs in Jan.
Clondaw Whisper (IRE) 200-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, never a factor, tailed off, 11th of 13, dist behind Elusive Belle (10-9) at Wincanton 1m 7f (4) gd in Jan.
Colditz Castle (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Mid-division, ridden and headway from 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 16, 3l behind Winston C (11-5) at Wincanton 1m 7f mdn (5) gd in Jan.
Kauto The King (FR) 14-1 (11-2) Off the pace in 5th, pushed along and outpaced after 3 out, blundered last, 5th of 13, 35 1/4l behind Elusive Belle (10-9) at Wincanton 1m 7f (4) gd in Jan.
Moayadd (USA) 25-1 (11-2) Chased leader until mistake 2nd, chased leaders, lost place before blundered 4 out, weakened before next, tailed off, 8th of 9, dist behind Baddesley Knight (11-2) at Plumpton 2m (4) gd in Jan.
Sum Fun Now (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Behind, slow 2nd and 3rd, detached next, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out, at Market Rasen 2m 1f (4) sft in Dec.
Broke Away (IRE) 125-1 (10-12) Tailed off throughout, mistake 5th, pulled up after 3 out, at Taunton 2m mdn (4) gd in Jan.
Fingal Girl (IRE) 66-1 (9-0) Slowly into stride and always rear, detached halfway, no extra 2f out, weakened, 12th of 13, dist behind Could Should Would (9-0) at Galway 7f mdn fll gd in Sep.
True Thoughts (IRE) 250-1 (10-12) Chased winner until after 4th, steadily lost place, tailed off 3 out, 9th of 10, dist behind Friend Or Foe (10-12) at Taunton 2m (4) gs in Dec.
Golden Footsteps (IRE) 200-1 (10-0) Virtually refused to race, very slowly away, always well behind, last of 16, dist behind Winston C (11-5) at Wincanton 1m 7f mdn (5) gd in Jan.
