prominent, weakening when not fluent 13th, mistake 3 out
held up in touch, progress to go 2nd approaching 4 out, led 3 out, not fluent 2 out, soon ridden, headed last, hung left and no extra flat
led, mistake 4th, headed 6th, with leader, led 12th, headed 3 out, regained lead last, stayed on well
held up, mistake 9th (water), soon lost touch with leaders
mid-division, jumped slowly and lost place 5th, well behind until after 9th, tailed off when pulled up before last
held up, not fluent 4th, well behind after 9th, fell last
mid-division, headway approaching 10th, jumped left 11th, mistake 12th, soon weakened
always behind, lost touch after 9th
raced keenly, prominent, led 6th to 12th, hit 13th, weakened 4 out, mistake 3 out
always behind, reminders after 7th, lost touch after 9th
chased leaders, lost place before 5th, lost touch after 9th and not jumped well after, tailed off
Absolutelythebest did not look to be a natural over fences when making his chasing debut earlier this month and he may be best watched along with the Ian Williams-trained Secured, who gave little cause for optimism on his recent return, in a race where Fourty Acers may be hard to beat. The selection is the least exposed of the 11 runners but has shown a decent level of form in both bumpers and over hurdles and it is of interest that David Pipe has quickly put the son of Bob Back over fences. Down's Folly is entitled to come on for his reappearance run at Huntingdon and has to be considered. Pont-to-point recruit Goforthegap is another worthy of a mention but Fourty Acers has an obvious chance on his chase debut and is taken to make it a winning one.
Absolutelythebest (IRE) 11-2 (11-6) Tracked leaders, led briefly 4 out, ridden 3 out, weakened next, 3rd of 6, 11l behind Borora (11-6) at Hereford 2m 3f beg chs (4) gf.
Down's Folly (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) In touch, mistake 7th, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, ridden and kept on same pace, 3rd of 11, 7l behind Predator (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (3) gf.
Fourty Acers (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Led, ridden when hit 2 out, headed approaching last, stayed on, 2nd of 18, 2l behind Fier Normand (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (E) hvy in Dec.
Goforthegap (IRE) (12-0) Won at Ballingarry 3m ire ptp frm in Jun beating Sport In Port (12-0) by 3l, 16 ran.
Let's Rock 66-1 (9-9) Held up in rear, hampered and unseated rider at the 5th in race won by Ericas Charm (11-11) at Ludlow 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf, 9 ran.
Lyon 16-1 (11-7) In rear, lost touch 6th and pulled up 3 out in race won by Gaelic Roulette (11-10) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Jul, 9 ran.
Secured (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Held up, effort 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, well behind Bring Me Sunshine (11-0) at Towcester 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs.
Stantons Church 50-1 (10-0) Hampered 2nd, always behind, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Classic Rock (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs, 20 ran.
William Butler (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Led to 2nd, tracked leaders, not fluent 4 out, weakened after next, 6th of 11, 20l behind Manhattan Boy (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gd.
Cashel Dancer 50-1 (10-13) Held up, short lived effort approaching 2 out, no further progress, 8th of 12, 24l behind She's Our Native (11-1) at Hereford 2m 3f mrs hcp hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Little Trethew 66-1 (10-5) Tailed off from 7th, last of 5, well behind Priors Dale (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chs (4) gd.
