held up, no chance when blundered and rider lost iron briefly 10th, pulled up before next, saddle slipped
held up, under pressure 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 10th
tracked clear leader, closed to lead after 9th, clear 3 out, stayed on strongly, eased run-in
led and soon clear, headed after 9th, chased winner and no impression when blundered last
always behind, under pressure 6th, no chance from 10th
tracked leaders, mistake 9th, stayed on to take 2nd near finish but no chance with winner
chased leaders in 4th, went 3rd 4 out, no chance from next
held up, jumped right 7th, headway to track leading pair next, weakened before 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
It is hard to get away form Jolly Boy here and he can get the better of Hill Forts Henry and Our Jolly Swagman. The selection is in great heart at present and is chasing a four-timer. His most recent victory came at Huntingdon last week, his third success in twelve days. Venetia Williams obviously believes those exertions have not taken there toll and he looks set to go in again. Hill Forts Henry has been running well in modest company but is finding it hard to get his head in front, place money looks on the cards again. Our Jolly Swagman has been in good form this season but it is hard to envisage this one giving weight and a beating to the selection. The pick of the remainder could be Sitting Duck, but Jolly Boy cannot be opposed in his current mood and he gets our vote.
Our Jolly Swagman 10-1 (11-3) Held up, headway 5th, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 10, 30l behind Never Awol (10-6) at Towcester 3m cnd hcp chs (F) sft in Nov.
Test of Friendship 6-1 (10-11) Mid-division, hit 13th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Young Lorcan (10-13) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-100 (F) gs in Nov, 10 ran.
Jolly Boy (FR) 6-4fav (9-11) Prominent, led 8th, in command when left clear last, comfortably, won at Huntingdon 2m cnd hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd beating Le Royal (11-4) by a distance, 10 ran.
Sitting Duck 8-1 (11-0) Led 6th to 7th, weakened after 8th pulled up 3 out in race won by Presenting Express (11-0) at Folkestone 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-95 (F) gd in Nov, 16 ran.
Opportunity Knocks 16-1 (10-13) In touch until weakened before 12th, tailed off, 8th of 16, 40l behind Presenting Express (11-0) at Folkestone 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-95 (F) gd in Nov.
Minat Boy 66-1 (10-0) Prominent, weakening when mistake 8th, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by King Coal (11-2) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gs in Nov, 14 ran.
Hill Forts Henry 7-1 (11-3) Held up in last pair, stayed on one pace under pressure approaching 2 out, not pace to challenge leaders, 4th of 9, 20l behind Manque Neuf (11-3) at Plumpton 3m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (F) gs in Nov.
Cloneybrien Boy (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Fell at the 2nd in race won by Royal Corrouge (11-0) at Warwick 3m 2f beg chs (E) sft, 10 ran.
