in touch, hampered 5th, slow jump 6th, weakened 11th, tailed off
held up in touch, went 4th 10th, ridden after 4 out, kept on same pace, left 3rd last
left in lead 2nd, soon driven along, headed approaching 4 out, kept on same pace, left 2nd last
held up, hampered 6th, blundered badly and unseated rider next
chased leaders, blundered 5th, weakened 11th, tailed off and pulled up before last
chased leaders, hit 10th, weakened next, tailed off
tracked leaders, reminders approaching 10th, led approaching 4 out, ridden and headed after 2 out, 2nd and held when blundered and unseated rider last
led until blundered and unseated rider 2nd
chased leaders, challenged 3 out, led soon after 2 out, in command when left clear last
VIBE sets a decent standard in this seller, and is preferred to likely main challengers Boscall Hill and Don't Ask Me. Evan Williams is one of the most in-form trainers around, and although Vibe disappointed last time out, he's much better than most of these, and maybe all of them. Expect a patient ride from Donal Fahy who can claim a handy three pounds. Boscall Hill looks to have this sort of race within him, although still a maiden after 23 outings. This is a significant step down in grade from what he's been used to. Don't Ask me will need to defy top weight, but although giving away plenty, the jockey can claim seven pounds to make him competitive. He's versatile too, handling a variety of trips in differing conditions, and has won here before. So, several can be given a chance, but we'll side with Vibe.
Don't Ask Me (IRE) 17-2 (10-11) Held up mid-division, some headway 10th, weakened 12th, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Jackella (11-11) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Nov, 11 ran.
Vibe 6-4fav (11-9) Held up 5th, ridden along from 7th, plugged on to go 3rd approaching left, never able to challenge, 3rd of 5, 10l behind Gotontheluckyone (10-2) at Fontwell 2m 2f cnd hcp chs (5) gs in Nov.
Fisherman Jack 20-1 (10-12) Towards rear, headway 9th, soon under pressure and held from 2 out, 5th of 10, 43l behind Tastes Like More (10-2) at Hereford 3m 2f sll hdl (5) gs.
Bite Un Fight 25-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, not fluent 2nd, mistake 5th, soon struggling and pulled up at the 6th in race won by Old Brigade (10-2) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Nov, 15 ran.
Bandits Pistol (NZ) 16-1 (11-7) Mid-division, ridden after 6th, no impression, 10th of 14, well behind Fair Dual (11-10) at Fontwell 2m 2f sll hcp hdl (5) gf in Sept.
Boscall Hill (IRE) 50-1 (10-10) Tracked clear leader, left in lead and badly hampered and headed 6th, weakened 9th, 3rd of 5, 46l behind Kings Quay (10-13) at Fakenham 2m nov chs (3) sft.
Park Lodge 16-1 (10-8) Towards rear when fell at the 5th in race won by Mount Cook (11-11) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs in Nov, 8 ran.
Gray's Eulogy 18-1 (10-2) Jumped left, led, soon clear, blundered 5th, headed 4 out, 4th and held when hit 2 out, weakened, 5th of 12, 24l behind Joe Deane (10-11) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Nov.
Kappelhoff (IRE) 10-1 (9-11) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up at the 14th in race won by Boardroom Dancer (10-1) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Apr, 14 ran.
