led, headed approaching 5th, stayed in touch, ridden 4 out, soon one pace
towards rear, beaten from 11th when fell last
tracked leader, ridden and chased winner approaching 4 out, one pace from next
jumped well, tracked leaders, led approaching 5th, ridden and drew clear from 2 out
always towards rear, lost touch 11th, pulled up before 4 out
always behind, blundered 7th, lost touch from 11th
always towards rear, pulled up before 10th
Johnny Roche showed his liking for similar underfoot conditions when successful on his chasing debut over course and distance two weeks ago and Howard Johnson's gelding is taken to defy the 8lb rise for that success, getting the vote ahead of Spirit Calling and Bouncing King. The last mentioned ran respectably on his reappearance at Market Rasen on Boxing Day and has to be considered, especially as he may improve for the run, but Don McCain's gelding may be a shade high in the weights at present so he looks best watched. Raining Horse is held by Bouncing King on Market Rasen running, while Porters Pet has only once been placed in 11 starts and is hard to recommend. Spirit Calling has been running consistently well this term and should be thereabouts once more but Johnny Roche has solid claims and he is preferred.
Bouncing King 5-2jt-fav (11-0) Always prominent, ridden to challenge before 3 out, effort approaching next, weakened last, 4th of 9, 9l behind Kitty Wong (10-2) at Market Rasen 2m 2f nov chs (4) sft in Dec.
Raining Horse (FR) 11-2 (10-11) Held up towards rear, under pressure 7th, hampered 8th, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Kitty Wong (10-2) at Market Rasen 2m 2f nov chs (4) sft in Dec, 9 ran.
Johnny Roche (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, lost place 11th, soon ridden, hit next, kept on, every chance approaching 4 out, ridden and soon led, driven out, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft beating Day Du Roy (10-12) by 6l, 7 ran.
The Joker (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Led to 4th, chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, weakening when hit next, 7th of 9, 29l behind Bob's Dream (10-4) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Spirit Calling (IRE) 4-1fav (11-12) Behind, blundered badly 1st and 2nd, headway 11th, ridden approaching 4 out, kept on from 2 out, 2nd of 13, 5l behind Prince Balthasar (10-10) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Nov.
Turbo Shandy 150-1 (10-10) Towards rear, blundered and unseated rider at the 6th in race won by Sharp Reply (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m beg chs (4) sft, 9 ran.
Porters Pet (IRE) 5-1 (10-9) Soon towards rear, moderate 7th and no impression from 4 out, 6th of 13, 27l behind Chill Out (10-9) at Down Royal 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 gs in Dec.
