chased leaders, led approaching 3 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
in touch, blundered 3rd, ridden after 10th, joined winner 12th, weakened after next
chased leaders, struggling 8th, ridden approaching 12th, went 2nd approaching last, kept on same pace
held up, headway 9th, joined winner 10th, until weakened 12th, pulled up after next
led, blundered 1st, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, rallied to regain lead approaching 2 out, ridden out
held up, ridden after 9th, weakened 12th, pulled up after next
chased leaders until 7th, short-lived effort 10th, weakened after 13th
The Entomologist, The Hairy Lemon and Benetwood are the most likely protagonists and we are with The Entomologist. Charlie Egerton's representative looks to be a progressive individual and won with the minimum of fuss at Sandown. Trip and going suit and we are confident that there is more to come. The Hairy Lemon was a fair hurdler on his day and having fell previously over the bigger obstacles, he got his act together at Newbury last month. Benetwood scrambled home to beat Helen Wood at Warwick. That form was given a huge boost last week when David Pipe's charge hacked up at Exeter. Boomshakalaka has course form to his name and is difficult to gauge by virtue of the fact that we haven't seen a lot of him. Templer looks exposed. Adopted Hero hasn't lived up to his hurdling promise while King Of Confusion has it to do. Another race that will throw up a hatful of future winners and The Entomologist gets the nod.
The Entomologist (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Chased leaders, led 8th, made rest, driven and stayed on gamely flat, won at Sandown 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Nov beating Donovan (10-9) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
The Hairy Lemon 7-1 (11-12) In touch, headway after 4 out, led and jumped right last, hard driven flat, stayed on well, won at Newbury 2m 2f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov beating Oscar D'angron (11-11) by 1l, 9 ran.
Templer (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Prominent, chased leader 6th, ridden and one pace, 5th of 11, 17l behind Hill Forts Timmy (11-9) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
Benetwood (IRE) 2-5fav (11-0) Chased leaders, led 6th, ridden clear flat, all out, won at Warwick 2m beg chs (4) gs beating Helen Wood (9-12) by a nk, 9 ran.
Boomshakalaka (IRE) 15-8fav (11-0) With leader, led after 4th, made rest, driven out flat, won at Kempton 2m nov chs (3) gs in Nov beating Calideo (11-5) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
King of Confusion (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Mid-division, mistake 10th, kept on, never nearer, 3rd of 13, 15l behind Sunday City (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Nov.
Adopted Hero (IRE) 3-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, left 2nd 7th, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 11l behind Papini (11-2) at Ascot 2m 3f beg chs (3) gf in Nov.
