mistakes in rear, driven along 4th, lost touch 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 11th
held up, struggling 10th, hit 4 out, pulled up approaching next
held up in rear, headway to chase leaders after 3 out, weakened tamely before 2 out, pulled up before last
chased leaders, ridden 11th, weakened 4 out
made all, in command soon after 2 out, driven out
in touch, headway 10th, chased winner approaching 2 out until no extra approaching last
held up, headway 11th, chased leaders 3 out, weakened under pressure between last 2
chased winner, ridden after 9th, weakened approaching 2 out, pulled up next
Nonrunner
Buckland Gold has progressed with each start this season and he is fancied to win today; In Extra Time and Follow Your Heart make up the shortlist. Although the selection let down favourite backers last time out, and hardly has an awe-inspiring record of 0 wins in 17 starts, his attitude has not been called in question. He battled all the way to the line last time out and as this contest looks weaker, and he is effective on any ground, he is taken to finally break the duck. Aheadofhistime, a winning pointer needs a check in the betting, whilst In Extra Time ran well in defeat when last seen and rates a danger if reproducing that run. Victree has top-weight and an absence to overcome, so a more likely threat could prove to be Alpha Gamble if the market speaks in his favour returning from a lengthy absence. Narrow preference though is for Buckland Gold.
Victree (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Led to 3rd, chased winner to next, struggling 7th, tailed off, 5th of 7, well behind Polinamix (11-0) at Plumpton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gf in Apr.
In Extra Time (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, went 3rd approaching 2 out, weakened flat, 3rd of 9, 10l behind Newton Bridge (10-10) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Oct.
Alpha Gamble (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Held up in touch, going well when hampered and brought down 5 out in race won by Kipsigis (11-4) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Mar '06, 13 ran.
Abraham Smith 12-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, blundered 11th, weakened 3 out, 6th of 13, 30l behind Arnold Layne (11-6) at Towcester 2m 6f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Nov.
Follow Your Heart (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Held up, ridden approaching 4 out, soon beaten, 5th of 8, 23l behind Big Al (9-9) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Nov.
Buckland Gold (IRE) 9-4jt-fav (11-5) Held up, headway 4 out, chased winner 3 out, one pace, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Ossmann (11-5) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gf in Nov.
Aheadofhistime (IRE) 5-1 (12-0) (ts) held up; hdwy 12; wknd 15; fin v tired, 4th of 6, 19l behind Kings Euro (12-0) at Pentreclwydau 3m ptp gd in May.
Glide 10-1 (11-3) Mistake 8th, always in rear, tailed off, 8th of 11, well behind Elsie's Pride (11-4) at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Nov.
Sett Aside 8-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, one pace from 3 out, 4th of 11, 15l behind Elsie's Pride (11-4) at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Nov.
Spider Boy 11-1 (9-7) Prominent, joined leader approaching 6th, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 8, 29l behind Royal Prodigy (9-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Nov.
