always behind, driven and struggling 9th, soon tailed off
close up, weakened 4 out, no chance when hit last
led, hit 8th, narrowly headed 11th, stayed challenging until one pace after 3 out
chased leader until weakened and lost place 10th, outpaced from 4 out
close up, headway to track leader 10th, led and mistake next, not fluent 3 out, in no danger when jumped right last 2
chased leaders, one pace under pressure when blundered and nearly unseated rider 3 out, no impression after
Nonrunner
Smart Guy can gain his second course-and-distance success at the expense of Sunshan and Kappelhoff, with Taksina best of the remainder. At the age of 14, Smart Guy is definitely reaching the twilight of his career, but Linda Jewell's veteran showed that there was still a race to be won with him when finishing second to the more fancied Rosses Point on his belated return to action in January. All four of his career wins have come at the Sussex track, and all in December, but having missed out on his Christmas appearance this time round, he is still fresh enough to support. Sunshan will have his supporters after only being headed close home at Wincanton last time and he will like the ground as well, while Kappelhoff has a light weight and will appreciate this less exacting journey after failing to last out over Towcester's stiff three miles last month. Taksina has time on his side as one of the younger brigade here, but has gone off the boil a bit, and on a course he knows so well, Smart Guy can make them all go.
Twotensforafive 33-1 (11-0) Behind, ridden and lost touch 7th, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Smeathe's Ridge (10-11) at Folkestone 2m 5f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Jan, 11 ran.
Sunshan 3-1jt-fav (9-8) Prominent, headway and challenged 4 out, ridden 3 out, led approaching last, hard ridden flat, headed close home, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Breaking Breeze (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-110 (E) frm in Oct.
Smart Guy 9-1 (10-9) Led, ridden 4 out, mistake and headed 3 out, soon no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Rosses Point (10-8) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Jan.
Taksina 25-1 (9-6) Led until 3rd, chased leaders, weakening when hampered 11th, 7th of 12, 21l behind First De La Brunie (10-5) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs (4) sft in Jan.
Quizzling (IRE) 33-1 (9-11) Always towards rear, lost touch 10th, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by First De La Brunie (10-5) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs (4) sft in Jan, 12 ran.
Aisjem (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) In touch, mistake 2nd, reminders 4th, weakening when not fluent 4 out, 4th of 9, 29l behind Advance East (10-2) at Chepstow 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Jan.
Kappelhoff (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 5th of 13, 18l behind Heartache (10-0) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Jan.
