held up, ridden after 10th, soon weakened, tailed off
chased winner, mistake 10th, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out
prominent, not fluent 4th, weakened 9th, pulled up before 4 out
in touch, chased leaders 10th, ridden 4 out, effort when mistake 3 out, weakened 2 out
made all, hit 10th, went clear 4 out, blundered last, eased near finish
in touch, lost touch 5th, pulled up before 7th
mid-division, hit 9th, weakened 10th
held up last, lost touch 7th, weakened 8th, pulled up before 3 out
Several can be given a chance in this competitive Beginners' Chase but preference is for MARK THE BOOK ahead of Predateur and Quickbeam. Phillip Hobbs' gelding was disappointing last time out, when he started a short-priced favourite at Towcester. However that was in desperate ground and it may be that despite winning on it in the past, he is actually better on quicker ground. This longer trip is in his favour and he is fancied to record his first success over fences. Predateur and Quickbeam are both officially rated 132 and there may not be a lot between them. Each has failed to live up to expectations, although the former is stepped up in trip before and this may bring about some improvement for the course winner. Lancaster Sound has plenty to find at the weights so despite running well here last time out he is readily opposed and so it is Mark The Book who is marked in our cards.
Lancaster Sound (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Chased leader, jumped left 7th, led 12th, ridden after 4 out, hard ridden and headed close home, 2nd of 15, 3/4l behind Solid As A Rock (10-2) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.
Mark The Book (IRE) 11-8fav (11-0) Left in lead 1st, headed after 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 9, 35l behind Mister Potter (11-0) at Towcester 2m 6f beg chs (4) hvy in Jan.
Moon Bear 66-1 (10-9) Hit 6th, soon lost touch, tailed off when left 4th 4 out, 4th of 6, well behind Tamadot (11-0) at Taunton 2m 3f beg chs (4) sft in Jan.
Predateur (FR) 15-2 (11-6) In touch, headway to chase leading pair approaching 9th, driven approaching 3 out, weakened soon after next, lost poor 3rd soon after last, 4th of 11, 30l behind Petit Robin (11-3) at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Nov.
Quickbeam (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Made most at 12th, hit 3 out, every chance until after last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 10l behind Hopkins (11-0) at Doncaster 3m beg chs (4) gs.
Rock Captain (IRE) 25-1 (10-1) Not much room 1st, in rear, reminders after 5th, headway next, lost place after 11th, weakened 14th and pulled up 5 out in race won by Just Smudge (11-7) at Ludlow 3m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Jan, 14 ran.
Sir Winston (IRE) 11-2 (10-13) Held up, blundered 3rd, headway 11th, blundered 13th, effort approaching 4 out, soon weakened, 4th of 9, 34l behind Rosie All Over (11-12) at Exeter 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Spin The Gin (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Behind, reminders 5th, ridden and struggling 14th, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Hennessy (11-0) at Folkestone 3m 1f beg chs (4) gd in Jan.
