tracked leaders, ridden after 7th, lost place next, tailed off 11th
held up, 5th and in touch 9th, closed 14th, chased winner 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, lost 2nd flat
led to 2nd, led 3rd, jumped left 6th,7th and again when bumped 8th, headed before next, weakened 14th
held up, headway 5th, went 2nd 12th, led 14th, drew clear approaching 2 out, stayed on well
in rear, pushed along 5th, behind 7th, soon tailed off, pulled up before 13th
jumped stickily early, led 2nd to 3rd, prominent, bumped 8th, led before next until 14th, weakened after 3 out
in touch, chased leader 4th until jumped slowly next, ridden 12th, 5lenghts down in 4th when blundered badly, gave rider no chance and unseated rider 4 out
CRANK HILL may be able to get the better of Woodlands Genpower whilst Honour's Dream could go well in receipt of weight. Woodlands Genpower's last four wins have all come at this track under similarly testing conditions and he battled on bravely to prevail in a thrilling contest just eleven days ago. He should have recovered sufficiently to run his race again but the resulting penalty takes him to a mark that has proved beyond him in the past. In contrast, Honour's Dream is attractively weighted but he was rather disappointing last month and the decision to replace cheekpieces with blinkers needs to bring about an improved performance but he does act well in testing ground. Shaka's Pearl ran right up to his best in the Sussex National and has finished in the money on all four visits to this track so he rates highly as does Its A Classic who has plenty of stamina. The selection also has stamina in abundance and he appeared to get outpaced at Taunton when running a creditable race in defeat. He is held by Woodlands Genpower on their running of just over a year ago but looks an improved performer and Crank Hill may be able to double his career tally on his return to the venue of his sole success.
Crank Hill 16-1 (11-6) Mid-division, dropped to rear after 4th, rallied before 10th, soon chasing leaders, led approaching 3 out, headed under pressure on long run to 2 out, no impression when lost 2nd after last, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Wizard of Edge (10-4) at Taunton 3m 3f hcp ch 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.
Shaka's Pearl 8-1 (10-3) In rear, headway 3 out, kept on same pace from last, 3rd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Master Overseer (10-13) at Plumpton 3m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan.
Aces Or Better (IRE) 9-1 (11-9) Led, headed and mistake last, kept on, 2nd of 5, 3l behind Rapid Increase (11-6) at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp ch 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.
Its A Classic 8-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, reminder after 10th, stayed on flat, never dangerous, 5th of 8, 11l behind Pontiff (10-10) at Warwick 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.
Gritti Palace (IRE) 33-1 (10-11) Prominent, ridden 8th, weakened 13th, tailed off, 7th of 10, well behind Fine By Me (9-13) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Woodlands Genpower (IRE) 15-2 (11-8) Chased leaders, led 12th to 14th, hampered 3 out, led and jumped right last, all out, won at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy in Jan beating Sailor's Sovereign (10-1) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Honour's Dream (FR) 9-2 (11-5) Tracked leaders, under pressure 4 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 6, 22l behind Mr Floppy (10-3) at Folkestone 2m 5f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Jan.
