held up, behind with one other by 3rd fence, blundered 7th, reminders, tailed off when left remote 3rd last
held up, behind with one other by 3rd fence, tailed off when left remote 2nd last
with leader, led 3rd, 4 lengths clear 5th, headed 13th, ridden 3 out, under pressure and 4 lengths down approaching last when left clear, lucky winner
led, headed 3rd, chased leader, led again 13th, soon 3 lengths clear, ridden 2f out, looked winner until fell last
The Cool Guy gets the call here, with Dancing Bay and Castlecomer breathing down his neck. The selection finished very tired when comprehensively beaten by My Way De Solzen last month, however his task today is far easier so he gets the tentative vote. Although the stable are not in top form, there has been a mini-revival of late so the seven-year-old is taken to continue in that vein. Dancing Bay was rated 145 at his peak over hurdles and performed with credit on his chase debut three weeks ago at Fontwell. He will have come on for that run and should appreciate the step up in trip today. His stable continues to be in fine form so he must have very solid claims. Castlecomer hasn't been beaten far behind two very useful horses on his last two runs so must rate a live danger, however he shapes like a thorough stayer so may just get out-pointed if this becomes tactical (as it probably will). Ashford Common Lad completes the small lineup, but looks outclassed and so we will return to The Cool Guy to lead them home.
Ashford Common Lad (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Prominent until weakened before 3 out, 8th of 9, well behind Schuh Shine (11-4) at Fontwell 3m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Castlecomer (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, switched left 3 out, chased winner last, stayed on, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Back For The Craic (10-9) at Leicester 2m 7f mdn chs (4) gs in Jan.
Dancing Bay 7-4fav (11-4) Prominent, outpaced approaching 3 out, rallied 2 out, ran on to go 2nd flat, 2nd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Glasker Mill (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f beg chs (4) sft in Jan.
The Cool Guy (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Held up and keen, never a threat, 3rd of 4, well behind My Way de Solzen (11-9) at Haydock 2m 4f nov chs Grd 2 (1) hvy in Jan.
