prominent, mistake 8th, every chance approaching 4 out, hit 4 out, soon weakened
chased leader, reminder 13th, led 14th, ridden approaching 4 out, headed briefly flat, pushed out and kept on gamely close home
led, not fluent 3rd, headed 14th, soon ridden and weakened
in touch, ridden and weakened approaching 4 out, soon pulled up
held up behind, headway after 13th, chased leaders 14th, ridden approaching 4 out, stayed on from after 3 out, led briefly flat, no extra close home
prominent, headway and chased leader after 14th, every chance 4 out, no extra from approaching 2 out
Hard to rule out any in this small field but narrow preference is for GOLDEN CHILD. Although disappointing last time at Carlisle when he had travelled a long way and was well-fancied for just an average race, the selection remains a horse to keep on the right side of. He ran well at Perth earlier in the season and although 7lbs higher in the weights today, he is a player with the ground not a problem. Portland Bill won at this point last year and should improve for a recent pipe-opener, Stolen Moments needs to improve his jumping, whilst Macmar has been tumbling down the weights and is not badly treated. Pass Me a Dime ran well behind River Indus at Sandown and has run well here before, however it is Golden Child who gets the tentative vote.
Portland Bill (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Mid-division, ridden towards rear 12th, behind when blundered 13th, tailed off, 9th of 14, well behind Alright Now M'Lad (11-5) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov.
Stolen Moments (FR) 7-1 (11-7) Led to 3rd, mostly chased winner after, blundered 14th, lost 2nd 15th, blundered next, reminders and blundered 3 out, weakened soon after, 3rd of 8, 31l behind Can't Buy Time (11-1) at Ascot 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Nov.
Macmar (FR) 40-1 (11-10) Chased leaders until 9th, towards rear, no chance when blundered 17th, 7th of 16, well behind Hello Bud (11-8) at Fontwell 3m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov.
Golden Child (IRE) 7-4 (11-3) Chased leader until 4th, ridden and hit 3 out when weakening, last of 4, 28l behind Companero (11-3) at Carlisle 3m beg chs (4) gs in Nov.
Pass Me A Dime 10-3 (11-9) Held up in rear, blundered 18th and 4 out, stayed on from 3 out, went moderate 3rd last, 3rd of 6, 12l behind River Indus (10-0) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs.
Sprosser (IRE) 15-2 (11-5) Held up, headway approaching 8th, effort 5 out, soon weakened, 7th of 15, 24l behind Super Nick (11-2) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Oct.
