led, hit 3rd, mistake and headed 5th, pressed leader, led again 3 out, clear next, stayed on well, easily
tracked leaders, driven and one pace after 4 out, soon ridden, stayed on to take modest 2nd 2 out until after last, no extra
held up behind, mistake 9th, tracked leaders 12th, not fluent 4 out, soon outpaced, ridden before 2 out, stayed on to take modest 2nd after last, no chance with easy winner
tracked leaders, dropped to rear 6th, blundered 9th, struggling 11th, tailed off 5 out, pulled up before next
tracked leaders, lost place 12th, tailed off 5 out, pulled up before next
behind, pushed along 10th, reminders before next, tailed off 5 out, pulled up before 3 out
with leader, led 5th, driven 4 out, headed next, soon ridden, no chance with winner when mistake and lost lost 2nd 2 out, weakened before last
The once-promising African Gold has shown little since returning from injury and is best watched again. Neither Cloudy Copper nor Royal Palladium could justify favouritism on their last starts but the latter is eased in grade here, as are Bob Ford and Wychwoods Brook. Both of the last two named have terrible completion records but are decent when in the mood and Rebecca Curtis' charge has winning form around here and handles heavy ground. THEDRINKYMEISTER has more scope than any of his rivals, however, having raced just once over the larger obstacles. He didn't fare badly at Newbury and, having won here over hurdles on heavy going, is definitely worth a second look on these terms.
Bob Ford (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Prominent, lost place 10th, behind when pulled up 2 out, at Bangor 3m hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Wychwoods Brook 25-1 (10-12) In touch, fell 5 out, at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (1) sft in Nov.
Cloudy Copper (IRE) 7-2jfav (11-8) Led until after 1st, tracked leaders on outside, one pace 4 out, weakened next, 7th of 9, 26 1/4l behind Wizards Bridge (10-10) at Exeter 3m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Royal Palladium (FR) 9-2jfav (10-10) Chased leaders, hampered 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 10, 27 3/4l behind Vieux Lion Rouge (11-6) at Haydock 3m hcp (2) sft in Nov.
African Gold (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, blundered badly 10th, ridden 12th, lost place when hampered 5 out, weakened before next, pulled up approaching 3 out, at Newbury 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Dark Glacier (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Held up, ridden after 11th, struggling and behind from next, 7th of 10, dist behind Silver Man (11-0) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Thedrinkymeister (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Prominent, led after 5 out, headed after next, weakened flat, 5th of 12, 17 1/4l behind Spookydooky (11-7) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
