tracked leaders, led 3rd to 6th, with leader, outpaced when hit 4 out, soon ridden and weakened
tracked leaders, outpaced 4 out, soon ridden, no impression until stayed on strongly flat, went 3rd near finish, not reached leaders
held up in touch, headway to challenge 5 out, led 3 out, ridden and headed last, no extra flat
held up in touch, headway to track leaders when mistake 4 out, ridden to lead last, stayed on well flat
led, not fluent 1st, jumped left and headed 3rd, led again narrowly 6th, headed 3 out, soon ridden, kept on until one pace approaching last
chased leaders, lost place 10th, 8th and beaten when blundered 3 out
in rear, struggling 9th, weakened 4 out
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, every chance next, edged left last, kept on same pace flat, lost 3rd near finish
held up behind, driven 4 out, stayed on same pace from next, no impression
CHECKERBOARD beat a 125-rated rival off level weights last time, so off that mark must himself have good claims of doubling up ahead of Award Winner and Work Boy. It could be a good day for Howard Johnson as his horse looks to have real claims of shouldering top weight to victory. This trip is ideal and he won nicely last time from Lease Lend who is a decent yardstick, so further success awaits despite the fact he's got slightly easier ground to contend with today. Award Winner won last time too and must have a chance despite the 7lb rise as all ground comes alike to him. Brendan Powell has his string in decent order and he's a real threat to the hopes of our selection. Work Boy arrives in fine form having won with plenty in hand last time but the drop in trip has to be of some concern, despite the fact he cruised into contention that day. Sue Smith's charge has scope for improvement but all things being equal may be done for speed against these, although rain will help his chances. King Fontaine was behind Award Winner last time but this inconsistent sort is capable of reversing that if putting it all together, but the biggest threat to our shortlist may come from Western Gale if he's fit for this return. The market will help us on that score, as it will with Description who looks the stable number two but would become of interest if supported. Our Jim was behind Award Winner last time and doesn't look set to reverse the form, so in what should prove a fiercely competitive handicap chase our narrow vote goes to Checkerboard.
Checkerboard (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) With leader, led 2nd, headed 9th, led again 12th, under pressure from 2 out, kept on well flat, won at Carlisle 2m 4f beg chs (4) gf in Oct beating Lease Lend (11-4) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Description (IRE) 14-1 (10-2) Tracked leader, led approaching and hit 4 out, headed approaching next, weakend approaching 2 out, 6th of 10, 31l behind Quentin Collonges (10-11) at Doncaster 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd.
King Fontaine (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 9th until after 3 out, beaten 2 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 9, 19l behind Award Winner (11-2) at Bangor 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft.
Award Winner 2-1fav (11-2) In touch when not much room, landed steeply and nearly unseated rider 1st, held up after, headway before 9th, bumped slightly 4 out, challenged 2 out, led last, driven flat, stayed on well, won at Bangor 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft beating Our Jim (11-1) by 2l, 9 ran.
Our Jim 14-1 (11-1) Led, jumped left, not fluent and headed 3rd, led 7th, ridden 2 out, headed last, held towards finish, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Award Winner (11-2) at Bangor 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft.
More Equity 7-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders, went 3rd approaching 4 out, hit next, no impression, 3rd of 9, 12l behind Middleton Dene (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 4f beg chase (4) gd.
Solway Bay 9-2fav (10-11) Held up, ridden 3 out, never dangerous, 8th of 11, 26l behind I Hear A Symphony (11-9) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Nov.
Work Boy 4-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, hampered 4th, led 9th, ran on flat, eased near finish, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd beating Tighe Caster (11-6) by 8l, 8 ran.
Locked Inthepocket (IRE) 7-2fav (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway 7th, chased winner 3 out, every chance last, stayed on, held flat, 2nd of 16, 1 1/4l behind Mister Pete (10-2) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) hvy in Feb.
Western Gale (IRE) 6-4fav (10-12) Held up in rear, ridden after 2 out, went 3rd approaching last, stayed on to lead towards finish, won at Hexham 3m 1f nov chs (3) gf in Oct beating Beautiful Vision (11-4) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
St Killian's Run (IRE) 22-1 (10-12) Held up behind, outpaced 4 out, never dangerous, 4th of 5, 36l behind Bedlam Boy (11-6) at Kelso 2m 1f nov chs (2) sft.
