chased leaders, led 7th, ridden and headed 3 out, soon weakened
in touch, hampered and lost place 6th, kept on from 3 out, never dangerous
held up, headway 5th, weakened after 4 out
mid-division, headway 4th, led 3 out, soon ridden, headed last, not quicken flat
with leader, led 2nd to 7th, weakened after 4 out
led, jumped left 1st, headed next, prominent until ridden 5th, weakened after next
held up, headway 6th, hit 3 out, soon ridden, led last, ran on
mid-division, blundered and lost place 3rd, effort 7th, weakened 4 out
chased leaders, not much room 1st, in 3rd when fell 6th
hit 5th, always behind
took keen hold, always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Very Special One, Jupon Vert and Wild Power are three against the field in another tough race to call for punters and the nomination is given to Very Special One. The selection was a fair third behind Paddy Boy last time out and with the drop in trip looking to be in his favour and off a fair mark he looks the one to be on. Jupon Vert rates the main danger as he remains on a handy mark and was a fair third behind He's The Gaffer last time out. However he is best when given an easy lead and that does not look likely here so he looks worth taking on. Wild Power is another on a fair mark but the fitting of first time cheekpieces has to be of concern. Before The Mast is another in form but his only wins of late have been in sellers and this looks too competitive for him. Of the remainder, Corroboree is from a yard in form but has shown very little of late and for the winner we return to Very Special One.
Jupon Vert (FR) 5-2jt-fav (11-3) Led, headed after 3 out, soon no chance of winner, 3rd of 6, 18l behind He's The Gaffer (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
Corroboree (IRE) 28-1 (11-12) Prominent, joined leader 6th, weakened quickly 11th, 12th of 14, well behind Lubinas (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Jan.
Wild Power (GER) 16-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, ridden and headway 3 out, weakened flat, 3rd of 10, well behind Jolly Boy (9-11) at Huntingdon 2m cnd hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd in Dec.
Very Special One (IRE) 2-1jt-fav (11-8) Chased leaders, chased winner before 6th to 3 out, soon beaten between, 3rd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Paddy Boy (10-4) at Folkestone 2m 4f cnd nov hcp hdl (E) gs in Nov.
Prairie Minstrel (USA) 33-1 (10-4) Held up, headway 3 out, 4th and mistake last, no extra, 6th of 8, 6l behind Lindsay (11-4) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gd in Dec.
Before The Mast (IRE) 11-4 (10-12) Held up in touch, hit 9th, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 4th of 6, 30l behind Roznic (11-9) at Folkestone 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Jan.
Call Me Jack (IRE) 4-1 (9-13) With leader, not fluent 3rd, ridden after 3 out, weakening when blundered 2 out and pulled up 2 out in race won by Magico (11-1) at Leicester 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd in Dec, 6 ran.
Blazing Batman 12-1 (10-3) Held up well off the pace, stayed on from 4 out, never dangerous, 3rd of 9, 15l behind Advance East (10-2) at Chepstow 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Jan.
