mid-division, headway after 6th, ridden after 3 out, soon one pace
mid-division early, behind and pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, hit 4th, every chance 3 out, soon ridden, weakened after next
chased leaders, hit 3rd, led 7th, headed and hit 3 out, weakened next
hit 4th, mainly towards rear
in touch, not fluent 6th, soon ridden and weakened, pulled up before 2 out
never better than mid-division
mid-division, hampered after 6th, headway after next, soon ridden, one pace from 3 out
chased leaders, led after 3 out, ridden and headed next, kept on again from last
held up towards rear, headway after 6th, led approaching 2 out, soon ridden, all out
mid-division until dropped rear 4th, behind and pulled up before 2 out
prominent, led 3 out, soon ridden and headed, weakened next
led until 7th, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
hit 1st, always behind, pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, headway after 6th, ridden after 3 out, went 3rd next, kept on same pace
held up, ridden and headway after 3 out, stayed on strongly from next, finished well, just failed
mid-division until weakened 7th
chased leaders early, tailed off and pulled up before 7th
The obvious contenders in a modest but fairly open handicap are Flemish Invader, Raise Your Game, South Bank, Wantage Road and Fondness. Flemish Invader gets the nod. The selection ran on well to land a bumper but hasn't troubled the leaders in three runs over hurdles. It's hard to know what he's achieved but he settled far better last time suggesting that he's getting to grips with the game and isn't overburdened for his handicap bow. Wantage Road has had his problems and remains best watched until confirming that they're behind him. South Bank isn't easy to assess but is undoubtedly better than his latest showing and it would be no surprise to see him improve. Raise Your Game failed to take to fences last time but had shown ability over hurdles prior to that and he should appreciate the return to racing at this trip. Fondness won her penultimate start well but is more exposed than some and may find easier opportunities. We'll put Flemish Invader up but keep an eye on the market.
South Bank (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Held up and behind, headway after 5 out, weakened approaching 7th and pulled up 2 out in race won by Oniphlaure (11-0) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec, 14 ran.
Flemish Invader (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Always towards rear, 11th of 15, 22l behind Earth Crystal (11-3) at Ascot 2m 3f nov hdl (3) sft in Jan.
Raise Your Game (IRE) 11-4 (11-10) Held up towards rear, jumped left throughout, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Oiseau de Nuit (11-3) at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Jan, 10 ran.
Heart Springs 17-2 (10-10) Never travelling and always towards rear, no chance when pulled up 2 out in race won by Pyleigh Lady (11-5) at Newbury 2m 5f mrs hcp hdl (3) sft in Jan, 11 ran.
Wantage Road (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) In touch, under pressure 4 out, soon weakened, 7th of 16, 36l behind Jaunty Flight (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Jan.
Fondness 5-2fav (10-10) Mid-division until lost place 7th, ridden nest, behind when pulled up in race won by Native Coral (11-6) at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Jan, 16 ran.
Chancery Lad (IRE) 100-1 (11-3) Held up mid-division, one pace from 3 out, 9th of 22, 15l behind Lease Lend (11-9) at Doncaster 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) gs in Jan.
Pocketwood 50-1 (11-0) In touch, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Climate Change (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec '06, 21 ran.
Gold Again (IRE) 7-1 (10-8) Prominent, chased leaders 7th, ridden when fell in race won by Amber Brook (10-9) at Exeter 2m 6f amt hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Dec, 19 ran.
Munching Mike (IRE) 66-1 (10-11) Always towards rear, 13th of 15, 47l behind Foxspur (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Pedlers Bridge (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Towards rear, progress 10th, hit 3 out, weakened, 4th of 12, 25l behind Dundridge Native (11-4) at Plumpton 3m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs in Nov.
Marghub (IRE) 50-1 (10-13) In touch, hit 3rd, ridden and weakening when mistake 3 out, 9th of 15, 35l behind Mungo Jerry (11-5) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Jan.
Benedict Bay 20-1 (10-13) Led, mistake 7th, soon headed, ridden after 3 out, weaknened before next, tailed off, 4th of 11, well behind Quarry Town (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Changiz 50-1 (10-8) Chased leaders until 3rd, soon behind, 12th of 15, 49l behind Mungo Jerry (11-5) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Jan.
Delcombe 100-1 (9-12) In touch, mistake 5th, outpaced after 3 out, stayed on again from last, 7th of 14, 34l behind Mous Of Men (11-12) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.
Arctic Shadow 66-1 (10-7) Held up, ridden and headway 4 out, kept on same pace from 2 out, 4th of 16, 7l behind Lady Roania (11-7) at Ludlow 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Nov.
Acosta 66-1 (10-2) Towards rear, ridden 7th, weakened 8th, 7th of 14, 35l behind Premier Des Marais (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Jollie Abilola 125-1 (10-5) Always behind, mistakes 2nd and 4th, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Maggie Mathias (10-12) at Warwick 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Dec, 14 ran.
