mid-division, hampered 2nd and 13th, headway approaching 4 out, hampered on bend after 3 out, soon outpaced, weakening when hit 2 out
mid-division, hampered 2nd, headway 13th, hit 4 out, upsides winner when fell 3 out
never going, behind up until pulled up before 15th
mistake 1st, never going after, behind until pulled up before 4 out
in touch, lost place 7th, in touch again from 11th, left chasing winner 3 out, hit 2 out, rider dropped whip after last, towards finish no impression
took keen hold, prominent, mistake 15th, weakened after 3 out
mid-division until blundered and unseated rider 2nd
held up, mistake 4th, headway 11th, soon driven, hampered 14th, struggling after, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out
in touch, jumped slowly 4th, 5th when bludered badly 13th, lost several places, hit 4 out, stayed on one pace approaching 2 out
led until fell 14th
held up in rear, headway when hampered 14th, ridden next, hampered 3 out, stayed on one pace approaching 2 out
mid-division, hampered 2nd, mistake 6th, bumped and rider lost iron 7th, pulled up before 8th
mid-division, hampered 3rd, in touch 15th, blundered 3 out, hung right and stayed on same pace between last 2
chased leader after 3rd, not fluent 12th, left in lead 14th, stayed on under pressure flat
refused to race, took no part
jumped slowly early, prominent, ridden 4 out, soon outpaced, no danger after
Nonrunner
Some decided "characters" in opposition and Proud To Present is put up as a token selection against Grenfell and Mondial Jack. Proud To Present doesn't have too many miles on the clock and while he never looked like obliging in his recent race at Folkestone, by the same token, he never looked like losing second place. The trip does not seem to be an issue. Grenfell should have won more races than she has done but this is very much down to a lack of resolution in a finish and she seems fated to find something flying past her at the death. Mondial Jack is completely exposed although entirely able at low levels. He is taking a leap into the unknown over today's extra distance although he does at least try to win in spite of a lack of natural ability. Noble Sham was perhaps a little too keen for his own good at Bangor. He would have chances if learning how to settle. Ludlow specialist Chilly Milly is much better than her recent run suggests. Barton Legend obliged spectacularly at Ludlow and while he hadn 't won for some time prior to that effort, it could be that Dr Newland has finally found the key to him. Test Of Friendship has clearly had training troubles and that is very much explained in his lack of racing versus his age. He acts over extremes of trip and on fast ground so the market will tell us how he came out of his most recent outing in November. Kim Bailey's Constantius was well punted at Exeter last time out and is one to note in the market on this occasion. Proud To Present is not without questions but has produced fewer negatives on his card than most.
Grenfell (IRE) 13-8fav (11-5) Chased leader, led 10th, not fluent 15th, headed 4 out, soon ridden, not chance with winner after 3 out, weakened and lost 2nd approaching 2 out, 4th of 5, 27l behind Mighty Matters (11-7) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Nov.
Noble Sham 11-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, blundered 7th, led 11th, headed after 2 out, kept on, 3rd of 13, 3l behind Saunders Road (11-12) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
Chilly Milly 25-1 (11-6) Held up, hampered 4th, headway 8th, led 13th until fell 4 out in race won by Never So Blue (11-8) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd, 16 ran.
Melford (IRE) 11-1 (11-3) In touch, ridden and outpaced 5 out, 5th of 6, 36l behind Herecomestanley (12-2) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf.
Barton Legend 15-2 (11-2) Tracked leader, led 4 out, ridden 3 out, ran on, won at Ludlow 2m 5f amt nov hcp hdl (4) gs beating I'm A Legend (9-12) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Ballyman (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Prominent, led to 3rd until headed 13th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by River Indus (10-6) at Exeter 2m 7f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft, 13 ran.
Lucky Luk (FR) 12-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, headway 14th, chased leaders 16th, outpaced 3 out, stayed on well towards finish, 4th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Present M'lord (11-6) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Nov.
Proud To Present (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (11-3) Chased leaders, led 13th, headed before 2 out, beaten approaching last, 2nd of 11, 9l behind Elsie's Pride (11-4) at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Nov.
Little Shilling (IRE) 14-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened and not fluent next, 6th of 11, 14l behind Blaze Ahead (11-4) at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Nov.
Gray's Eulogy 15-2 (11-1) In touch, ridden 12th, pulled up after next pulled up in race won by Strolling Vagabond (10-0) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Mar, 7 ran.
Charlies Double 9-1 (10-12) In touch, chased winner from 11th, ridden 13th, soon outpaced, 4th of 16, 21l behind Oakfield Legend (11-5) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Nov.
Red Ensign 40-1 (11-1) Took keen hold, close up until dropped to rear 7th, no chance after, tailed off, 4th of 6, well behind Hobbs Hill (11-7) at Folkestone 2m 5f nov chs (3) gd in Nov.
Constantius 5-1 (10-8) Held up behind, headway after 11th, ridden before next, led 2 out, headed and stumbled last, weakened, 3rd of 10, 11l behind Deep Quest (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in Nov.
Carnt Spell 8-1 (10-9) In touch, ridden 10th, weakened 3 out, 7th of 8, 49l behind Big Al (11-0) at Leicester 2m 4f chs 0-90 (5) gf.
Regal Vision (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) refused in race won by Rifleman (11-1) at Hereford 3m 1f amt hcp chs (5) gd in Nov, 12 ran.
Monsieur Georges (FR) 5-1 (10-3) Towards rear, mistake 5th, headway 7th, badly hampered 9th, waited and rejoined in race when given a lead, weakened approaching last, 4th of 12, well behind San Luca (9-13) at Towcester 3m cnd hcp chs (5) gs.
Test of Friendship 11-1 (11-8) Prominent, led after 5th, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Present M'lord (11-6) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Nov.
Mondial Jack (FR) 13-2 (11-4) Held up, hampered 4th, hard ridden, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 11, 22l behind Sou'wester (11-2) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft.
