chased leaders, led 6th, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened
held up, steady headway 12th, chased winner approaching 3 out, kept on
towards rear, reminders halfway, soon struggling, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, led 4th, headed 6th, ridden to lead again approaching 3 out, kept on gamely
held up, ridden and lost place 12th, pulled up before 2 out
led to 4th, reminders approaching 12th, blundered next, stayed on from 3 out, no impression
held up in touch, headway approaching 12th, ridden next, weakened 14th, pulled up before 3 out,
held up, headway 14th, outpaced 4 out, rallied approaching next, kept on
chased leaders to halfway, soon struggling, pulled up before 3 out
In a tricky looking contest Hugo De Grez gets the tentative nod ahead of Aegean. The selection was raised a hefty 14lbs for his Newcastle win in November, and struggled last time out after trying to do too much from the front next time up at Ayr. He started favourite that day, and could do so again today, however under a more patient ride then he could make amends in what is a fairly weak-looking race. Aegean is currently running off a mark 3lbs lower than his highest winning one, and will provide some competition up-front for the selection. Sue Smith has her stable in good form at present, and her twelve-year-old gelding could be a live danger, although he was well beaten by the selection at the time of unshipping his rider last time out. Of the rest, Bellaney Jewel was in fine form earlier in the year, although she may need the run after eight months off the track so should be monitored in the betting for signs of confidence. Harrovian is slowly slipping int he weights but may need some more respite from the handicapper, whilst Imperial Dream will need to bounce back from two disappointing runs. In a tricky contest then, we return to Hugo De Grez as our idea of the winner.
Harrovian 13-2 (10-6) In touch, lost place 11th, behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Silver Knight (11-3) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft, 10 ran.
Bellaney Jewel (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (10-6) Led to 6th, chased leaders, lost place 13th, behind when pulled up at the 16th in race won by Devil's Run (10-12) at Sedgefield 3m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in May, 12 ran.
Imperial Dream (IRE) 15-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, lost place 14th, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Rival Bidder (10-12) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Nov, 10 ran.
Bang And Blame (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Soon behind, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Jungle Jinks (11-12) at Wetherby 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Nov, 7 ran.
King's Bounty 33-1 (10-6) Led to 9th, soon lost place, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Iron Man (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov, 8 ran.
Aegean 9-1 (11-5) In touch, hit 12th, outpaced when hit 4 out, 4th unbeaten when blundered and unseated rider 4 out in race won by Hugo de Grez (10-9) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Nov, 14 ran.
Hugo de Grez (FR) 15-8fav (10-0) With leaders, led 3rd, hit 2 out, soon headed, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 6, 14l behind Devil's Run (11-3) at Ayr 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy.
Peach Of A Citizen (IRE) 20-1 (9-9) Chased leaders in 6th, 4th after 3 out, no impression from next, kept on same pace, 5th of 16, 11l behind Collinstown (11-0) at Tramore 2m 6f hcp chs 0-95 hvy in Oct.
Cionn Mhalanna (IRE) 15-8fav (10-5) Chased leaders, reminder 2nd, pushed along 9th, ridden and weakened after next, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Supreme Breeze (11-3) at Carlisle 3m nov hcp chs 0-115 (D) hvy in Mar '05, 5 ran.
Snowy Ford (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Held up, reminders 6th, ridden 11th, weakened 4 out, 4th of 8, well behind Zimbabwe (9-11) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy.
