hld up, hdw after 6th, challenging and e.c wh fell last
chsd ldrs, drv fr 7th, one pace fr 3 out, left poor 2nd last
led to 1st, j.l fr 5th, rdn appr 3 out, wknd
chsd ldrs unt blnd and u.s rdr 9th
trkd ldrs, prom 4th, grad wkng wh fell 9th
reluctant to race, al bh, t.o wh p.u bf 2 out
hld up, nv dang
led 2nd, made rest, left wl clr last, easily
chsd ldrs to 6th, sn bh
This has the makings of a cracking little heat and the only sure thing is that it will be hotly contested. The topweight, Ins And Outs, faces a stiff task in giving 9lb to his nearest rival and, despite his early career form looking solid, the fact that he has raced only once since the end of 2000 makes him a prime candidate to bounce today. Monte Cristo also has a little to prove at the weights, although his 7lb penalty for winning at Plumpton is not insurmountable - he has a little improvement in this better grade. It also remains to be seen if the visor has the desired effect the second time around here. However, Bold Hunter has strong claims if his fall last time out has not affected his confidence. He was well in command when he got too close to the final fence at Bangor last most month and has every chance of gaining compensation if the ground does not come up too soft. Saint Romble ran his best since arriving at Phillip Hobbs' yard from France at the start of the year. He should come on for the run but he is in danger of becoming disappointing. Which leaves the Polish-bred Corletto as the selection here. The five-year-old looked a little sketchy in his first couple of outings over fences but got his act together well at Market Rasen last month and will be a tough nut to crack if he shows the same battling qualities. Shellin Hill has been given a chance of reversing recent form with Corletto as he is 8lb better off with his rival for a 3.5 length beating at Warwick at the start of November. But he lacks a turn of foot and has been below par in his two subsequent outings.
