in rear, pushed along 3 out, headway 2 out, ridden and weakened flat
close up, prominent 3 out, led before next, soon pressed, ridden and ran on flat
led, pushed along and headed before 2 out, ridden and weakened approaching last
in touch, headway 7th to tracked leaders, every chance from 3 out, pushed along next, ridden and ran on
in touch towards rear when stumbled bend after 8th and unseated rider
in rear, pushed along and headway 2 out, stayed on to go 3rd flat
tracked leaders, lost place 3 out
pressed leader until 3 out, weakened next
in touch, pushed along and outpaced 3 out, tailed off
Bert Wilson's one visit here resulted in a victory and he also won at Chepstow in March so can't be dismissed. Ragamuffin has won seven times over jumps as well as a point-to-point and his latest run here a fortnight ago puts him in the frame. Punches Cross has won three times over fences but never over timber and he's on a higher mark. STANLEY PINCOMBE (NAP), a dual winner over hurdles, looks ready to win again after a very good run at Exeter under today's rider.
Ragamuffin (IRE) 22-1 (11-8) Held up, headway 3 out, ridden next, stayed on flat, nearest finish, 3rd of 11, 3l behind Baddesley (11-8) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Stanley Pincombe (IRE) 12-1 (11-11) Mid-division, headway before 4th, chased winner before last, stayed on, unable to challenge, 2nd of 18, 2 1/2l behind Wolfspear (12-0) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (5) gd in Oct.
Bert Wilson (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, pushed along home turn, weakened quickly and pulled up before 2 out, at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (5) gs in Oct.
No Rematch (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Rear mid-division, never involved, 6th of 12, 23 1/2l behind Masterdream (11-6) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Jukebox D'eddy (FR) 16-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, blundered badly 1st, pulled up before next, at Ffos Las 2m hcp (5) hvy in Nov.
Maroochi 13-2 (10-6) Towards rear, pushed along after 8th, plugged on before last, no impression, 5th of 10, 7 3/4l behind Top Cloud (10-2) at Stratford 2m 6f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Gaia Vallis (FR) 33-1 (11-5) Mid-division, pushed along home turn, no progress, 6th of 16, 25l behind Harthill (11-5) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Punches Cross (IRE) 9-2 (10-6) Prominent, ridden and outpaced and dropped to 4th 2 out, rallied run in, 3rd of 6, 12 1/4l behind Ben Lilly (12-0) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (5) gd in Oct.
Auld Sod (IRE) 28-1 (10-2) Led, 1 length ahead 4 out, soon pressed for lead, every chance but headed 3 out, soon ridden, 1 length down 2 out, soon weakened into 3rd, edged right approaching last, lost 3rd near finish, 4th of 6, 11 1/4l behind Toad Of Toad Hall (10-10) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (5) gd in Sep.
