mid-division, headway 4 out, weakening when mistake 2 out
tracked leader, led 4 out, ridden 3 out, ran on
tracked leaders, weakened approaching 3 out
towards rear, ridden 6th, soon beaten
in touch, ridden to chase leaders after 4 out, one pace
held up, headway 6th, weakened 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, headway 6th, ridden 4 out, weakened soon after
towards rear, ridden after 4 out, plugged on, never on terms
in touch, ridden and weakened 3 out
mid-division, lost place after 4th, headway after 4 out, blundered last
led, headed 2nd, behind from 6th, pulled up before 3 out,
led 2nd, headed 4 out, ridden and one pace
held up, headway 4 out, chased winner after 2 out, kept on, always held
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Warsaw Pact is of interest with the blinkers on for the first time, however Just Smokie can get back the losses suffered at Wetherby last time out. The selection was second on his recent outing and should appreciate the drop in trip and this easier finish. He wouldn't want much rain but he has shown ability and can get off the mark today. Penful is a potential improver after just three starts, whilst Warsaw Pact won well at Exeter on his penultimate run before finding the company too tough at Cheltenham. The drop in grade will suit and a return to form cannot be ruled out. Ramvaswani wasn't beaten far last time at Fakenham, whilst Brave Bugsy was a game winner when last seen and could run well again. Barton Legend is an interesting contender having showed a lot more at Wincanton, however he isn't the most reliable and so we will pass him over and side with Just Smokie.
Warsaw Pact (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 11th of 20, 30l behind Kia Kaha (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Nov.
Barton Legend 7-2 (11-5) Prominent, ridden to lead 3 out, headed 2 out, no extra and lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 10, 15l behind See More Jock (10-11) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft.
Just Smokie 15-8 (10-10) Led, ridden 3 out, headed flat, no extra, 2nd of 4, 2l behind Valentines Lady (10-7) at Wetherby 3m mrs nov hdl (4) gf in Nov.
Sharkeys Dream (FR) 5-1 (11-2) Blundered and unseated rider in race won by Surricate (10-9) at Wetherby 3m 2f beg chs (4) gd in Nov, 3 ran.
Ramvaswani (IRE) 7-4fav (11-0) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway 9th, ridden next, kept on flat, 2nd of 10, 17l behind Run To Me (10-7) at Fakenham 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs.
Bartercard (USA) 25-1 (10-5) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, no impression, 9th of 14, 34l behind I'msingingtheblues (10-12) at Wincanton 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Penfull (FR) 28-1 (10-12) Mid-division, no headway approaching 3 out, 6th of 13, 26l behind Colisay (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Cockspur (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) In touch in main group, progress 8th, lost place approaching 3 out, stayed on one pace from 2 out, no danger, 5th of 12, 15l behind Fakima (10-12) at Huntingdon 3m 2f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Nov.
Brave Bugsy (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced 3 out, stayed on under strong pressure to lead flat, won at Hereford 2m 4f cnd sll hdl (5) frm in Nov beating Willy (10-12) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Forever Autumn 10-1 (10-13) Prominent, jumped left 1st, not fluent 4th, soon pushed along, lost place before next, soon weakened, 7th of 11, 42l behind Taran Tregarth (9-11) at Towcester 2m nov sll hdl (5) sft in Nov.
Backscratcher 100-1 (10-11) Led, headed briefly after 1st, headed 6th, soon ridden, weakened after 2 out, 3rd of 7, 10l behind Meet The Legend (10-13) at Exeter 2m 6f amt nov hdl (4) gf in Nov.
Spider Boy 12-1 (9-7) Led, headed 3 out, outpaced next, 2nd of 9, 8l behind Iwillrememberyou (11-10) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft.
I'm A Legend 20-1 (10-0) Held up, good headway approaching 3 out, about to lead when tried to follow loose horse, saddle slipped and ran out 2 out in race won by Primitive Academy (11-3) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf, 15 ran.
Vinatieri (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Always behind, 17th of 18, well behind Willoughby Joe (10-12) at Thurles 2m 6f hacp hdl gs in Nov.
Rifleman (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Towards rear, headway 13th, led 14th, headed 15th, ridden 2 out, led again last, ran on, won at Hereford 3m 1f amt hcp chs (5) gd in Nov beating Earcomesannie (11-2) by 2l, 12 ran.
Royal Sailor (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Blundered 3rd, always behind, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Tashkandi (10-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f sll hdl (5) sft in Oct, 12 ran.
