mid-division, headway after 6th, weakened 2 out
tended to jump right, held up towards rear, headway on outside after 7th, led after 3 out, driven out
held up and behind, some headway on inside 3 out, soon weakened
took keen hold, chased leader until after 3rd, remained prominent, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
mid-division, headway 5th, led 7th, ridden and headed after 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
led to 7th, soon weakened, blundered badly 3 out, soon pulled up
held up, mistake 4th, pushed along 6th, effort when blundered badly 3 out, no impression
mid-division, headway approaching 6th, chased winner approaching 2 out, no impression when mistake last
chased leaders, went 2nd after 3rd until 6th, weakened approaching 3 out
held up and behind, headway after 3 out, hung left approaching 2 out, stayed on
towards rear, mistake 5th, soon ridden, well behind from next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Jacaranda can complete a good day's work for Richard Johnson, with Monsieur, Joey and Rust En Vrede take to give him most to do. On recent evidence, Jacaranda is the one to beat despite leaping to the top of the handicap on the strength of some progressive form so far. The Philip Hobbs inmate never really hit the heights expected on the level after scoring as a two-year-old for Brian Meehan, but has thrived in his new environment since leaving Annabelle King. A very promising second on his first start for the Minehead yard at Worcester was followed by a convincing 9-length trouncing of the hot favourite Modaffaa there 11 days ago, and although saddled with topweight on his handicap hurdle debut, it is hard to escape his claims, with conditions to suit. Monsieur was given a most positive ride by Tony McCoy to score here 18 days ago, but was far from foot-perfect and will struggle to cope with his penalty. Joey is only plating-class really but likes fast ground so should give an honest account, and Rust En Vrede seems to be going the right way, and should be suited by the step up in trip at least. They appear to be the main contenders, with Jacaranda the one to be on.
Jacaranda (IRE) 15-8 (11-0) Chased leader to 3rd, remained prominent, led after 3 out, soon ridden, clear approaching last, easily, won at Worcester 2m mdn hdl (5) gd beating Modaffaa (11-0) by 9l, 12 ran.
Venn Ottery 14-1 (10-0) Held up and keen in rear, headway after 3 out, ridden 2 out, faded, 7th of 11, 13l behind Foodbroker Founder (10-10) at Stratford 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Jun.
Monsieur (FR) 7-2fav (11-5) Made all, clear 3 out, mistake last, driven out, won at Stratford 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd beating Smoothly Does It (11-12) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.
Resonance 28-1 (11-2) Held up, headway 4th, led 6th, headed and weakened 3 out, 8th of 9, 29l behind Capitana (11-2) at Ludlow 2m mrs hcp hdl (E) gs in Dec.
Given A Chance 14-1 (10-12) Led after 1st, headed approaching 4th, weakened 3 out, 10th of 14, 37l behind Dyneburg (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m mdn hdl (F) gf in Aug.
Joey 20-1 (9-10) Held up, headway when not much room at 7th, ridden approaching 2 out, ran on to lead last 50 yards, won at Worcester 2m 4f cnd nov hcp hdl (4) gf beating Longueville Manor (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Rust En Vrede 15-2 (10-4) Mid-division, headway 4th, ridden after 6th, went 2nd last, stayed on, 2nd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Absolutelythebest (11-8) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf.
Dubai Dreams 10-1 (10-13) Chased winner to well before 2 out, weakened soon after, 3rd of 14, 14l behind Monsieur (11-5) at Stratford 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd.
