held up, chased leaders after 5 out, every chance last, not quicken towards finish
held up in touch, weakened after 5 out
held up and not jumped well, headway 6th, led 3 out, driven out
held up, weakened 10th, pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, outpaced after 5 out, kept on, no impression
held up, weakened 5 out, pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, pushed along 7th, weakened approaching 10th
held up, mistake 5th, blundered and weakened 5 out, pulled up before 3 out
close up, weakened approaching 5 out, pulled up before 3 out
tracked leader, led 13th, headed 3 out, soon weakened
led to 13th, chased leaders, weakening when mistake 4 out
held up when blundered and unseated rider 2nd
JAYNE'S CRUSADER is a hopeful selection in an open race where Sound Stage and Afistfullofpebbles are just two others with claims. The selection was having his first start for the yard and his first over fences when coming within three-quarters-of-a-length of winning at Exeter last month. He's been raised by 5lbs for that run but has the scope to improve further and should appreciate this marginally longer trip. Afistfullofpebbles has taken time to get the hang of things but showed a glimmer of promise at Chepstow before winning at Warwick; more is required to defy a 9lb hike in a stronger race but he's bred to be useful and is entitled to progress. Sound Stage ran on well to score from a 9lb lower mark at Cheltenham last month and he appeared to have something up his sleeve on that occasion. The form is solid and it would be no surprise to see him follow up. Award Winner and Sharajan have something to prove at present whislt Qualypso D'allier couldn't be confidently supported until his jumping problems have been eradicated but neither they, nor several of the others, are forlorn hopes.
Sound Stage 14-1 (10-3) Mid-division, headway on outside, prominent 12th, went 2nd 4 out, led and clear before 2 out until after last, ridden and held on towards finish, won at Cheltenham 2m 5f cond hcp chs (4yo+) (3) sft in Dec beating Qhilimar (10-13) by 1 1/2l, 17 ran.
Sharajan (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Behind, mistake 4th, driven along 9th, jumped left 12th, tailed when pulled up before 13th, in a race won by Hey Big Spender (11-12) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Nov, 14 ran.
Afistfullofpebbles 10-1 (11-12) Held up, hit 6th, headway approaching 9th, went 2nd after 3 out, jumped left 2 out, led flat, pushed out, won at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec beating Carrickmines (11-4) by 3 1/2l, 12 ran.
Award Winner 40-1 (11-0) Mistakes 5th and 8th, always behind, 9th of 13, well behind Doctor Pat (10-13) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec.
Michigan d'Isop (FR) 14-1 (11-6) Held up, headway 13th, went 2nd approaching 3 out, soon ridden, 8 lengths down no impression when not fluent last, 2nd of 14, 6l behind Plein Pouvoir (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.
Circus of Dreams 10-1 (11-9) Held up, headway 4th, went 2nd 6th, challenging when left in lead 4 out, headed 3 out, no extra last, 2nd of 8, 8l behind Pistolet Dove (10-6) at Leicester 2m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.
Ajzal (IRE) 50-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, blundered and weakened 12th, tailed off, 8th of 13, well behind Doctor Pat (10-13) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec.
Jayne's Crusader 16-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, led 4 out, headed 2 out, every chance last, kept on flat, 3rd of 12, 1l behind Pavillon Bleu (11-12) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Pure Genius (IRE) 11-2 (11-1) Led 4th, mistake and headed 10th, soon driven, weakened 15th, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Knighton Combe (11-12) at Ascot 3m nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Nov, 11 ran.
Buffalo Bob (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, led 5th, headed approaching 8th, soon behind, pulled up before last, in a race won by Absolute Shambles (10-7) at Huntingdon 3m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Dec, 14 ran.
Putney Bridge 20-1 (10-1) Behind, struggling 10th, tailed off 3 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Sound Stage (10-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cond hcp chs (4yo+) (3) sft in Dec, 17 ran.
Qualypso D'allier (FR) 11-1 (11-2) Close up, led 4 out, in 4th and one pace when unseated rider 3 out, in a race won by Ayemdee (10-9) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Dec, 8 ran.
