led and disputed, ridden and looked held after 3 out, rallied and upsides next, every chance last, hung left under pressure flat and no impression on idling winner
took keen hold, led and disputed, definite advantage 3 out until joined and hit next, idled before mistake last, idled and always just doing enugh flat
chased leaidng pair until 10th, weakened 12th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders in 4th, dropped to rear and struggling 11th, blundered and unseated rider next
took keen hold, held up in 5th, blundered 4th, headway to chase leading pair at 10th, ridden outpaced and no chance from 4 out
Nonrunner
Though this is MARINGO BAY's eighth start over fences, Charlie Mann's gelding has been taking on some decent novices. He's only finished out of the frame twice and handles heavy going so should finally get off the mark. Tribal Dance lost his way in the summer and might need this so the danger may be Sunny Ledgend, a winner twice over hurdles but still unproven over this longer trip and on the prevailing going. Hilda Wild fell on her debut under Rules at Towcester but One More Cookie could grab a place on her chasing bow as she will have needed her Hereford reappearance.
Maringo Bay (IRE) 7-2 (11-1) Led narrowly, headed 6th, regained narrow lead after next, headed 3 out, soon ridden, 3rd and one pace last, stayed on to regain 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Mountainous (10-10) at Chepstow 3m beg chs (3) hvy in Dec.
Sunny Ledgend 14-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, slow 8th, soon lost place, mistake 3 out, weakened before next, 6th of 8, 21l behind Farmer Matt (10-0) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec.
Tribal Dance (IRE) 15-2 (11-5) Behind, jumped slowly 1st and 3rd, given reminders, mistakes 4th and 5th, pulled up before 8th, in a race won by Silent Snow (11-9) at Market Rasen 2m 6f 5yo nov hcp (4) gd in Jun, 10 ran.
Hilda Wild 10-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, jumped left 4th, fell 8th, in a race won by Grouse Lodge (11-0) at Towcester 2m 6f beg chs (4) hvy in Dec, 5 ran.
One More Cookie (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Raced wide, chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened before next, behind and pulled up before last, in a race won by Queens Grove (11-2) at Hereford 2m 4f Mares Handicap Hurdle (0-120) (3yo+) (4) hvy in Dec, 12 ran.
Upton Mead (IRE) 25-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, lost place 9th, behind 12th, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Amuse Me (11-12) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-100 (5) gd in May.
