chased leaders, went 2nd 6th, fell next
made virtually all, jumped right on occasions, drew clear from 12th, easily
chased leaders, blundered and unseated rider 3rd
mistake, stumbled and unseated rider 1st
held up, headway and left chasing winner 7th, not fluent from 10th, no impression from 12th, weakened after 14th
took keen hold, jumped right on occasions and not fluent, pressed winner, led 2nd, soon headed, close up until 6th, behind in 3rd from 9th, tailed off 12th, soon pulled up
FACTOTUM could be a warm order on his chase bow and should be able to get the better of Cullahill and Hampton Court. Jonjo O'Neill's strike rate at this venue is better than one in four over the past five seasons and he appears to have found a fairly soft opening for Factotum on his chase bow. Formerly a useful Flat handicapper for Luca Cumani, it hasn't all been plain sailing over hurdles but he ran out an easy winner at Ffos Las at the start of November which saw his mark raised to a career high of 135. He hasn't been seen since disappointing at Newbury in a keenly contested contest later that month so there are one or two questions that he has to answer on his chase bow but he should have too much firepower for this opposition. Cullahill made his chase debut over course and distance in the middle of last month where he finished a long way behind the useful Baddam with Orchard King a further fifteen lengths back in third. It's hard to see them improving significantly on that but this trip should suit the relatively consistent Hampton Court as he makes his chase bow but they'll all have to go to beat Factotum.
Bally Sands (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, lost place 7th, behind 9th, mistake 3 out, no impression after, 11th of 20, 47l behind Munlochy Bay (9-11) at Cheltenham 3m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Apr.
Cullahill (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Held up in 5th, mistake 7th, blundered 11th, went 2nd 3 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 23l behind Baddam (11-0) at Worcester 2m 7f beg chase (4) gf in May.
Factotum 10-1 (11-3) Held up, in rear 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Lie Forrit (11-8) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Nov, 18 ran.
Hampton Court 9-2 (10-5) Held up towards rear, headway after 9th, weakened after 3 out, 6th of 13, 26l behind Lyster (9-11) at Stratford 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in May.
Orchard King (IRE) 17-2 (10-7) Chased leaders to 9th, pushed along 14th, went poor 3rd last, 3rd of 7, 38l behind Baddam (11-0) at Worcester 2m 7f beg chase (4) gf in May.
Time'll Tell 12-1 (11-7) in a race won by Riskier (11-7) at Dunthrop 2m 4f ptp gs in Mar, 9 ran.
