always towards rear, tailed off 7th, mistake 8th, pulled up before 3 out
held up, soon in touch, ridden and weakened after 9th
held up, soon in touch, went 2nd 8th, led 3 out, mistake 2 out, ridden clear flat
well in rear, blundered 5th, tailed off 7th
held up towards rear, reminders after 6th, tailed off next, pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, headway 8th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
raced keenly, led, headed approaching 4th, chased leader until hit 8th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
well in rear, reminders after 6th, tailed off 7th, mistake next, pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, not fluent 7th, not fluent 9th, soon weakened, blundered last
chased leader, led approaching 4th, headed 3 out, weakened flat
GEE DEE NEN makes most appeal here, but also on the shortlist are Earth Dream and Threatening To Pay. Jim Best's runner has spent most of his career on the flat, but was an eye-catching runner up on his second hurdles outing last month at Catterick. That was his first run since having problems in the Cesarewitch, and McCoy's the right man to eke out further improvement over fences if there's more to come. We wouldn't want to be taking too short a price though. The ground won't be a problem and he should see out the trip fine. Threatening To Pay is a former Irish point winner; since coming here he's been placed on both occasions he's raced over hurdles. This is a step up in trip under rules, and he may go chasing in time, but he'd be well capable of landing this. Earth Dream has yet to live up to expectations, but Paul Nicholls and Christian Williams are here for this only runner on the card, which may indicate they've hopes of an upturn in his fortunes. It's a big step up in trip too, and we're taking on trust his ability in the going. It's an interesting looking contest, with our preference for Gee Dee Nen.
Cartoonist (IRE) 200-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, lost place 8th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Ernst Blofeld (10-12) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec, 14 ran.
Earth Dream (IRE) 11-4fav (10-9) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance 2 out, weakened last, 4th of 13, 22l behind Mont Present (10-6) at Fontwell 2m 4f cnd nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Gee Dee Nen 11-8 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 3 out, kept on from 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 16, 6l behind Honest John (10-12) at Catterick 3m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Heezbehindyou (IRE) 200-1 (10-12) Mid-division, weakened 7th, 11th of 15, 47l behind Aqualung (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Oscar Gold (IRE) 14-1 (10-2) In touch, weakened 5f out, 8th of 15, well behind Double Pride (10-12) at Warwick 2m nhf (6) hvy in Jan.
Putney Bridge 9-2 (11-0) Held up in touch, struggling 7th, soon lost touch, 6th of 7, well behind Ockey de Neulliac (11-0) at Kelso 2m 6f hdl (3) sft in Nov.
Quel Bruere (FR) 4-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, hit 7th, lost touch next, tailed off, last of 3, well behind Latanier (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hdl (4) hvy.
Royal Jasra 33-1 (9-7) Soon tracking leaders, pushed along 5f out, weakened over 3f out, last of 8, 35l behind Dishdasha (9-1) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) pol (Flat).
Sound Stage 40-1 (11-6) Raced keenly, chased leader 2nd, led 5th, headed after 10th, still every chance 3 out, weakened well before last, 3rd of 8, 23l behind Picture In The Sky (11-6) at Hereford 3m 2f mdn hdl (5) sft in Jan.
Threatening To Pay (IRE) 15-2 (10-12) In touch, ridden and one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 14, 7l behind Michel Le Bon (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
