held up mid-division, headway after 4 out, ridden before last, one pace
with leader, hit 5 out, soon weakened, fell 2 out
led, pressed from 5 out, headed before 2 out, one pace
mid-division, blundered 6th, reminder after 7th, pulled up before 4 out
always towards rear, pulled up
towards rear, stumbled badly 10th, soon pulled up
tracked leaders, challenged 5 out, led before 2 out, soon clear
tracked leaders, ridden and one pace before last
mid-division, pushed along and weakened before 4 out, blundered 3 out
in rear, outpaced from 5 out, headway after 2 out, kept on well to chase winner run-in, never dangerous
SPENDING TIME is still on a learning curve over fences and couldn't cope with the more-experienced Aachen in a higher grade at Wincanton last week. But he kept on well for pressure and connections can recoup losses here, though he has disappointed in three previous runs at the track. Butlergrove King is the obvious danger chasing a hat-trick after wins at Worcester and Ludlow, though a higher mark and softer ground is a concern. Somerset Lias has been placed in both starts over fences but Forgivienne and Rebel Benefit are returning from a break and Simply The West appears to have lost his way.
Simply The West (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Midfield, headway 6 ouy, chased leaders next, mistake 4 out, pulled up before next, at Ludlow 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Sidbury Hill 8-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders on outside, close up when mistake, slithered badly on landing and lost all chance 5 out, soon pulled up, at Newbury 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Butlergrove King (IRE) 15-8fav (11-0) Made all, not fluent 12th or 14th, 3 lengths clear 4 out until after last, pulled out more and going away towards finish, won at Ludlow 3m hcp (4) gd in Oct beating Buck Mulligan (11-12) by 5l, 5 ran.
Spending Time 6-5fav (11-0) Hung right almost throughout, tracked leaders, went 2nd at 7th, ridden and no impression from 2 out, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Aachen (11-11) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Cool George 17-2 (10-0) Held up in rear, struggling 3 out, last of 10, dist behind Henryville (10-9) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Forgivienne 8-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, challenged 6th, jumped left next, weakened after 4 out, tailed off, 11th of 12, dist behind Bold Conquest (11-3) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (4) gd in May.
Sandy Beach 25-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, 5th and ridden after 3 out, well held before next, 7th of 14, 16 3/4l behind Qasser (11-6) at Taunton 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Rebel Benefit (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Led until 3 out, chased winner until next, chased leading pair, driven and one pace in 3rd between last 2, 3rd of 10, 17l behind Applesandpierres (10-12) at Worcester 2m 4f (4) gf in Jun.
Somerset Lias (IRE) 5-1 (11-11) Took keen hold, held up, closer order in 3rd and hit 15th, ridden and went 2nd approaching 3 out, no chance with winner when stumbled and lost 2nd next, kept on same pace from last, 3rd of 6, 6 1/4l behind Distracted (11-12) at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
What Larks (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Mid-division, closed after 6th, weakened before 3 out, tailed off, 10th of 18, dist behind Brave Deed (11-4) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
