mid-divison, headway off the 9th, ridden 4 out, kept on to 3rd 2 out, no extra from last
mid-division, ridden in 5th when fell 10th
towards rear, steady headway from 8th, going well, chased winner 4 out, ridden from 3 out, no danger to winner
prominent, ridden, mistake 4th, weakened after
chased leader, ridden 10th, weakened 3 out
in touch, lost place 9th, hampered and fell 10th
soon behind, ridden after 8th, tailed off
towards rear, headway from 10th ridden 4 out, kept on to go 3rd after last
Nonrunner
None of these make much appeal, and only a modest vote goes the way of Tighe Caster, with Free Gift, Craven and Guerabad others worth a small mention. It is difficult to predict which of these enigmatic performers will have a good day, but at least Tighe Caster managed to fill the frame when third at Uttoxeter last time, and will have no trouble handling the fast ground, so despite topweight, he gets the vote. Free Gift won a hunter chase under similar conditions at Folkestone three years ago, and has won just once under rules since then, so can hardly be considered a strong betting opportunity despite his likely prominence in the market. Craven will at least come on for his recent return to action at Stratford, but is without the blinkers that seemed to transform his fortunes at the start of the year. Guerabad was well beaten on his last visit here, but carries much less weight than stablemate Ronald Jack, so merits the smallest of mentions, but in a race best soon forgotten, Tighe Caster gets the nod.
Tighe Caster 13-2 (11-6) In touch, chased winner 3 out to 2 out, soon hung left, stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Borora (11-1) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf in Sept.
Jarro (FR) 20-1 (11-2) Led after 1st, headed 8th, weakened approaching 4 out, 5th of 12, 19l behind Willies Way (10-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Sept.
Craven (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Held up, mistake 1st, headway 8th, driven in 3rd and no impression from 2 out, awkward on landing last, 3rd of 8, 13l behind Square Mile (11-10) at Stratford 2m 7f nov chs (3) gf in Sept.
Neltina 33-1 (10-7) Towards rear, stayed on moderately, went wide on bend approached 2 out, 3rd of 13, 16l behind Forest Green (10-4) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in May.
Ronald Jack (FR) 7-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, not fluent 12th, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, 29l behind The King of Angels (11-3) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Sept.
Free Gift 11-2 (10-9) In touch, headway 15th, ridden and every chance 3 out, one pace, 5th of 7, 6l behind Rakalackey (10-8) at Ludlow 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in May.
Magico (NZ) 8-1 (10-9) Chased clear leader, mistake 10th, soon lost place, ridden approaching 13th, weakened, pulled up before 3 out pulled up 3 out in race won by Lucifer Bleu (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Feb, 8 ran.
Guerabad (FR) 5-1 (11-12) In touch, ridden approaching 11th, kept on one pace from 3 out, 4th of 7, 19l behind Cape Stormer (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Sept.
Return Home 4-1 (10-9) Held up, never dangerous, 5th of 8, 14l behind Waterspray (11-3) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Sept.
The Hardy Boy 11-2 (10-0) Chased leaders until blundered and lost place 6th, renewed effort approaching 10th, weakened after next, 5th of 8, 16l behind Bible Lord (11-9) at Lingfield 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Mar.
