soon struggling, behind and pulled up before 5th
soon chasing leaders, blundered 2nd, mistake 5th, hampered 10th, soon weakened, pulled up after 3 out
chased leaders, hit 8th, soon ridden, kept on same pace from 3 out
always towards rear
made all at decent pace, hard pressed from 2 out, kept straight flat, all out
mid-division until dropped rear 7th, never dangerous after
fell 1st
mid-division until 7th, soon behind
soon mid-division, headway 10th, soon ridden, no further impression from 3 out
held up, hampered 1st, headway 10th, 5th and no chance when hit last
pressed winner throughout, mistake 7th, ridden approaching 2 out, every chance run-in, until drifted left close home
hampered 1st, held up, good headway after 7th, close 3rd when blundered and unseated rider 9th
A very interesting but tricky handicap chase. My World, Jericho III, Pass Me A Dime and Made In Montot make up the shortlist, with the vote going to the last-named. Paul Nicholls' charge doesn't look to be a world beater, but if putting in a clear round of jumping he could be hard to beat. He was still travelling well when falling last time at Newbury, and should have no problems with either the trip or ground today. Pass Me A Dime is a chaser on the up, having won his last three starts, however this is his toughest assignment to date and he will need to jump better than last time if he is to collect today. Jericho III won his reappearance well last month, and whilst he will like the forecast going, the handicapper has had his say and he could struggle off today's revised mark. The same could be said for My World who has gone up 3lbs for a narrow defeat last time out, however he is only six and still may have some scope for improvement. For the winner though, we return to Made In Montot in the hope that he can put in a clear round of jumping.
Jacks Craic (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Held up, good headway on inner after 10th to track leaders, ridden after 3 out, soon one pace, 4th of 10, 17l behind Kalca Mome (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m hcp chs 0-150 (2) sft.
Bambi de L'Orme (FR) 5-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, steady headway 9th, challenging next, chased winner 3 out, kept on flat, always held, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Saintsaire (10-11) at Newbury 2m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Nov.
Croix de Guerre (IRE) 11-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, last of 6, 9l behind Tous Chez (10-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs.
Made In Montot (FR) 7-2jt-fav (11-0) Racing in close 5th when fell at the 9th in race won by Gallant Approach (11-1) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Nov, 10 ran.
Jericho III (FR) 10-1 (11-9) Jumped well, made all, good jump and in command last, easily, won at Folkestone 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov beating Spinaround (10-9) by 9l, 5 ran.
Aleron (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, effort 4 out, soon ridden, outpaced 2 out, 4th of 6, 12l behind Coat of Honour (11-4) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft.
Pass Me A Dime 15-8fav (11-12) Led, blundered badly 1st, headed 4 out, led narrowly after 2 out, all out, won at Exeter 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov beating Roofing Spirit (11-5) by 3/4l, 4 ran.
Bonus Bridge (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Chased leader, ridden to challenge after 3 out, mistake 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 8, 8l behind Big Rob (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gf in Nov.
My World (FR) 2-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out, outpaced 2 out, rallied last, just held, 2nd of 5, nk behind Avitta (11-7) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Handy Money 5-1 (11-6) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd 3rd, led next, headed 12th, no extra, 3rd of 5, 16l behind Aztec Warrior (11-0) at Folkestone 2m 5f nov chs (3) gs in Nov.
Cossack Dancer (IRE) 7-4fav (11-6) Led at start, led 3rd, ridden and narrowly headed last, no chance with winner run-in, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Alrafid (11-6) at Lingfield 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Mambo des Mottes (FR) 17-2 (10-11) Mid-division, headway 9th, every chance approaching 2 out, kept on, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Whereareyounow (10-5) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cnd hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft.
