Aconitum ran much better when finding just Raise You Five too good here in November but Neil Mulholland's gelding did not run up to the same level of form when pulled up here subsequently and he looks best left out of calculations off a 5lb higher mark today in a race taken to go to THE PIOUS PRINCE, who gets the vote ahead of Aztec Treasure. Jonjo O'Neill's gelding is less exposed than most of his rivals after just four career starts and he makes his handicap debut off what appears a lenient mark but he does need to improve on all known form to trouble the judge. Nigel Hawke's Norwest has run a couple of promising races but remains a maiden after seven starts and of more interest may be Lord Crewe. The six-year-old has to be respected given the form of the yard having run better on testing ground at Wincanton last month. A better bet looks to be David Pipe's The Pious Prince, who ran an encouraging race on his reappearance in that same contest at Wincanton, finding just the winner too good, and he can go one better today.
Aconitum (GER) 9-2 (11-10) Held up towards rear, struggling after 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Callerlilly (11-12) at Exeter 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Nov, 9 ran.
Fire Within 22-1 (10-12) Chased leader to approaching 4th, stayed close up until weakened 6th, tailed off, 6th of 8, 29l behind Stoney's Treasure (10-12) at Lingfield 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Deep Quest 9-1 (11-12) Never jump with any fluency in rear, ridden and hit 14th, tailed off next, well in rear when pulled up approach 18th (5 out), in a race won by Tarquinius (11-5) at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov, 9 ran.
Norwest (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway when hit 5th, weakened approaching 3 out, 8th of 11, 38l behind Strategic Approach (11-0) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (4yo+) (4) hvy in Dec.
Hampton Court 12-1 (11-2) Held up, headway to chase leaders when fell 3 out, in a race won by King Stanley (11-12) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Dec, 18 ran.
Lord Crewe (IRE) 20-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, ridden 7th, kept on never nearer, 6th of 13, 13l behind Delcombe (10-5) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) hvy in Dec.
Aztec Treasure (NZ) 125-1 (10-12) Held up in last trio, well behind and struggling 9th, tailed off, 8th of 9, well behind Aldertune (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
The Pious Prince (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) Held up, headway to track leaders approaching 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on to take 2nd post, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Delcombe (10-5) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) hvy in Dec.
Cartier Opera 7-1 (10-6) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders 9th, weakening when blundered 11th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by The Snail (11-7) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Dec, 12 ran.
Champagne Star 8-1 (10-11) Held up, ridden to chase leaders in 3rd ater 3 out, held when fell next, in a race won by Ayemdee (11-9) at Towcester 2m 6f cnd hcp chs (0-95) (5) hvy in Nov, 5 ran.
Keepholdin (IRE) 66-1 (10-4) Held up in rear, not fluent 6th, still last at 3 out, plugged on but no chance, 5th of 12, 31l behind Raise You Five (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Nov.
