mid-division, ridden and weakened 11th, pulled up before 4 out
held up towards rear, ridden 12th, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, headway 12th, challenged and every chance 3 out, one pace from 2 out
tracked leader, ridden and challenged from 3 out, every chance when pecked badly last, not recover
prominent, good headway to challenge approaching 4 out, ridden and every chance after 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out
prominent, ridden 11th, weakened approaching 4 out
towards rear, ridden 12th, soon weakened, pulled up before 4 out
held up mid-division, headway 9th, ridden 10th, weakened 13th
towards rear when fell 6th
made all, ridden approaching 4 out, kept on gamely under pressure from 3 out
chased leader, ridden and challenged approaching 4 out, one pace after
never better than mid-division
mid-division, ridden 12th, soon weakened, pulled up before 4 out
In a very competitive handicap chase, recent hurdles winner Good Book gets the tentative vote ahead of Just For Men, Zanzibar Boy and Gunship. The selection makes his chasing debut today, and whilst this is a tough introduction, it might be significant that he dips his hoof straight into handicap rather than beginners company. Just For Men represents a powerful stable in good form, however that one has the blinkers on today after refusing when beaten last time out, and so is passed over. Perhaps of more interest could be Gunship who made a satisfactory debut at Chepstow and should come on for that run. Zanzibar Boy is sure to do better over fences than hurdles and making his chasing debut today he should be monitored closely in the betting. River Ripples could be of interest after a decent enough performance last time out when a beaten favourite, and it can be assumed that better may be expected today. However, the tentative vote goes to top-weight Good Book.
Good Book (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Led after 1st until 2nd, led approaching 5th, hung left approaching 2 out and last, driven out, won at Warwick 3m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct beating Rebel Melody (10-13) by 1l, 10 ran.
River Ripples (IRE) 11-4fav (11-5) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 7, 8l behind What'sonyourmind (10-2) at Towcester 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Nov.
Just For Men (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) In touch, tracked leader from 8th, led briefly 5 out, weakened next, very tired when refused 2 out in race won by Frosty Jak (11-7) at Chepstow 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Nov, 8 ran.
Zanzibar Boy 14-1 (11-0) Led to 3rd, with leaders, jumped left 3 out, soon ridden, weakened 2 out, 5th of 12, 17l behind Witness Run (11-0) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Billy Bray 5-2fav (11-6) Chased leaders, went 2nd 3 out, lost 2nd after 2 out, soon beaten, 3rd of 12, 18l behind Gerrard (10-5) at Folkestone 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Nov.
Gunship (IRE) 6-1 (10-0) Held up, headway 8th, went 3rd 3 out, beaten 2 out, 3rd of 12, 21l behind Parkinson (10-8) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Mar.
Lowe Go 50-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway 4th, every chance 3 out, weakened approaching last, 7th of 16, 15l behind Win A Rose (11-0) at Ludlow 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Nov.
Zimbabwe (FR) 9-1 (10-11) Prominent, mistake and lost place 2nd, soon towards rear, 7th of 14, 42l behind Charming Fellow (11-10) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Nov.
