prominent and keen, weakened 10th
towards rear, some headway on inside after 6th, steadied, headway again 9th, tracked leader 2 out, no impression
prominent, jumped left 8th, soon ridden and weakened
towards rear, headway 9th, soon under pressure and held from 2 out
always in rear, detached when pulled up before last
in touch, lost place 7th, tailed off 10th, pulled up before last
in rear, ridden from 6th, pulled up before last
tracked leaders, lost place 5th, ridden 8th, plugged on
led, headed and mistake 11th, held after
in touch, led 11th, clear after 2 out, easy
Nonrunner
With more negatives than positives about most of these it's a case of who has the least against them when picking a winner and with that in mind we go for RAJAM but wouldn't be surprised to see Three Lions or Boysterious in the winner's enclosure. The selection drops down to selling company after failing to rediscover his summer form that had him winning and placing in some relatively decent handicap chases. Once rated as high as 120, in this sphere his previous class could have him back at the top of the results in this weaker company. That said Three Lions has been ultra competitive in races of this standard landing a claimer and seller this season. Will have a bit more on his plate this time but should be challenging again. Boysterious looks well placed to get involved at a bigger price after struggling at handicap level last time. He took a similar contest with ease on his penultimate start and will only carry four pounds more on this occasion. Well treated then but could need even more cut in the ground. Mr Maxim is yet to get his head in front but showed enough on his penultimate start in a handicap to suggest he should win a race like this while Eurocelt's beginners chase form from last term should be good enough for him to lay down a challenge.
Three Lions 5-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden after 4 out, no impression from next, 7th of 16, 40l behind Albany (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 6f cnd clm hdl (5) gd in Nov.
Rajam 5-1 (10-10) Led, ridden when headed after 4 out, mistake and weakened next, 9th of 12, 38l behind Wildbach (10-10) at Chepstow 2m clm hdl (5) gs in Nov.
Eurocelt (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Close up, driven along from 7th, never travelling after, lost touch 12th, continued, tailed off, 4th of 5, 44l behind Georges Boy (11-2) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Fisherman Jack 150-1 (11-2) Slipped on bend after 16th, stumbled badly 22nd, behind when pulled up at the 25th in race won by Dix Villez (10-10) at Cheltenham 3m 7f crs cty chs (2) sft in Nov, 16 ran.
Flying Jody (IRE) 50-1 (10-13) Prominent, mistake 2nd, soon lost place, reminders after 3rd, behind from 6th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Old Brigade (10-2) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Nov, 15 ran.
Great Compton 7-2 (9-10) Mid-division, ridden and weakened 8th, 6th of 12, well behind Little Shilling (10-8) at Fakenham 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Nov.
Indian Doctor 33-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, not fluent 1st, ridden and weakened 3 out, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Thursday's Knight (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Nov, 10 ran.
Little Rort (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) In touch, led approaching 9th, headed after 3 out, soon under pressure, gradually weakened, 5th of 14, 14l behind Le Forezien (10-5) at Hereford 3m 2f sll hdl (5) gf in Jun.
Mr Maxim 11-2 (11-9) Led, not fluent 3rd, weakening when headed approaching 2 out, 7th of 10, 26l behind Ring Bo Ree (10-8) at Hereford 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Nov.
Tastes Like More (IRE) 11-1 (11-11) In touch, outpaced 3 out, rallied after 2 out, stayed on strongly run-in, 2nd of 15, 9l behind Boysterous (11-0) at Hexham 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) hvy in Nov.
Boysterous (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Behind, reminders 7th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Jane Doe (10-10) at Newcastle 3m hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Nov, 17 ran.
Festival Flyer 50-1 (10-3) In touch, ridden approaching 9th, weakened approaching 3 out, 8th of 14, well behind Bally Conn (10-8) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
