tracked leaders, led briefly after 10th, weakened 3 out
mid-division, headway on inside 10th, led after 11th, mistake 2 out, bumped last, headed flat
in touch, jumped left 3rd, mistake 11th, soon chasing leaders, one pace
held up, mistake 8th (water), pulled up next
towards rear, mistake 6th, headway after 4 out, ridden 2 out, jumped right, led last, kept on
tracked leaders, mistake 10th, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
led, headed 10th, weakened 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up, ridden and headway to chase leaders 10th, weakened 2 out
Nonrunner
Storm of Applause has shown a consistent level of form this term and the Phillip Hobbs-trained gelding looks to hvae been found a suitbale opportunity to resume winning ways here, getting the vote ahead of Rajam and Sanstress. The last mentioned has shown ability on the flat and over fences in France but has a poor strike-rate and is probably best wtached on his British debut. Charlie Longsdon's Bill Owen has a nice racing weight and has claims on the form shown when successful at Folkestone in October but has disappointed since then. Richard Lee's Pedros Brief is open to improvement after limited opportunities but needs to improve and of more interest may be Rajam, who was running well before unseatinghis rider at Ludlow last time. Storm of Applause has solid claims though and he is preferred.
Arm And A Leg (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) In rear, never near leaders, 5th of 12, 22l behind Mighty Moose (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Nov.
Kew Jumper (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Held up, headway 10th, blundered 3 out, rallied and kept on well run-in, 3rd of 16, 4l behind Rubberdubber (11-8) at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Jan '06.
Storm of Applause (IRE) 11-4fav (11-5) Raced keenly, mistake 6th, ridden after 3 out, hung right after 2 out, one pace, 4th of 11, 8l behind Something Wells (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Nov.
Sanstress (FR) (10-3) Stayed on late behind Mercelin (10-3) at Font 2m 5f chs hvy in Oct, 11 ran.
Pedros Brief (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Towards rear, not jumped well, tailed off from 4th, ran on after last, 6th of 10, 36l behind Magot De Grugy (11-9) at Chepstow 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Nov.
Major Euro (IRE) 9-1 (10-6) Led, headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 7, 18l behind Mighty Matters (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Nov.
Bill Owen 10-3 (11-12) Chased leader, ridden approaching 4 out, kept on same pace from 3 out, 4th of 7, 7l behind Abutilon (11-10) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Nov.
Lescer's Lad 14-1 (10-6) Towards rear, headway 7th, weakened 3 out, 12th of 16, 45l behind Harbour Breeze (11-12) at Hereford 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Nov.
Rajam 4-1co-fav (10-9) Held up, in touch when mistake and unseated rider at the 12th in race won by Herecomestanley (11-1) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Nov, 8 ran.
