tracked leaders, mistake 6th and 7th, soon ridden and weakened, blundered and all but down 3 out
made all, ridden and ran on flat
mainly chased winner, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace from 2 out
held up, ridden 5 out, weakened 3 out
always in rear, ridden 5 out, weakened 3 out
in touch, ridden after 4 out, effort next, soon driven along, weakened approaching last
Just the six runners but a good little chase with all of them holding claims; token preference is for VICTORIAS GROOM. The selection has made the frame in four of his eight starts over fences without winning but the drop back in trip on heavy ground should play to his strengths and he remains feasibly treated over the larger obstacles. Gabreselassie is still a maiden and has more to prove than most but he's at the right end of the weights and it would be dangerous to believe that we've seen the best of him and McCoy is doing a light weight. Lupanar helps keep the weights down for Maximix but it would be dangerous to rule him out following a pleasing chase debut behind Sunnyhillboy whilst Maximix also shaped with promise on his chase bow behind Den Of Iniquity. Maximix has proved more difficult to win with than his stablemate but both have the ability to win a race of this nature. Princeful was pitched straight into handicap company for his debut and emerged with credit having finished fifth behind Rivaliste at Newbury. He should be a danger to all on that evidence whilst conditions will be no bother to Silver Bay who's having his first start over the larger obstacles although the trip is on the short side. It's hard to be confident about Victorias Groom but this is a fascinating little race.
Lupanar (IRE) 9-1 (11-0) Held up, well in touch, closer order 5th, went 2nd 8th, every chance 2 out, chased winner last until no extra flat, 3rd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Sunnyhillboy (11-0) at Lingfield 2m beg chs (4) sft in Nov.
Victorias Groom (GER) 5-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, led 8th, joined and strongly pressed from 2 out, kept on gamely under pressure until headed final 100 yards and lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 14, 2 3/4l behind Exmoor Ranger (11-5) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov.
Princeful (FR) 7-1 (11-7) Prominent, pressed winner from 5th, hampered 11th, still challenging 3 out, beaten last, one pace, 5th of 11, 5l behind Rivaliste (11-4) at Newbury 2m 2f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Silver Bay 13-2 (11-11) Held up towards rear, headway after 9th, chased winner 3 out, challenged last, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Cross Kennon (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Nov.
Maximix 25-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, not fluent 2nd, some late headway, never nearer, 4th of 5, 8l behind Den of Iniquity (11-0) at Folkestone 2m beg chs (4) sft in Nov.
Gabreselassie (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd 8th to 3 out, no extra from 2 out and lost 3rd last, 4th of 6, 14l behind Suntini (11-12) at Lingfield 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Nov.
