in rear, mistake 14th, pulled up before 3 out, dismounted
led, headed 12th, mistake 14th, ridden to lead briefly after 15th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
in touch, led approaching 4 out, headed soon after, weakened 2 out
held up, smooth headway after 5 out, led 4 out, ridden out
in touch, close up 4 out, chased winner from 3 out, one pace
tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, weakened 3 out
in rear, mistake 15th, tailed off and pulled up before next
towards rear, headway 11th, mistakes 12th and 13th, ridden and weakened 4 out
tracked leader, led 12th, headed approaching 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up 2 out and dismounted
in touch, ridden and lost place 11th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
Prince Of Persia has obvious claims under a penalty but we'll take him on with COLLEGE ACE and fear Presenting Express and Cresswell Willow. The latter put her jumping problems behind her to run out a pleasing winner over course and distance for which she was handed a 7lb rise but her progression may well continue apace if her jumping can remain error free. The handicapper has given Presenting Express a chance and he shaped as though retaining his ability when last seen; market support would make him of interest with the yard going well. Prince Of Persia is 11lbs well in here despite his penalty so his claims don't need expanding on but the yard had one with a similar profile turned over in the week so he could be worth opposing at the likely cramped odds. Down's Folly has an each-way chance but he's yet to win a chase so it's not difficult to pass him over in favour of College Ace who lines up in search of a hat-trick. He's climbing the weights as you'd expect but remains well enough treated on the best of his old form and may have a little more up his sleeve now that he's rediscovered the winning habit; College Ace can get top marks once again.
Presenting Express (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Close up, hit 15th, chased leaders 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, 4th of 7, 5l behind Bubble Boy (11-2) at Sandown 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Nov '07.
Michael Muck 6-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, 2 lengths down in 3rd when blundered and unseated rider 4 out in race won by Jim Bobs Girl (10-5) at Newbury 3m 2f amt hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov, 10 ran.
College Ace (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Chased leader, left in lead 13th, not fluent 3 out, stayed on flat, won at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Nov beating Potts of Magic (10-7) by 2l, 9 ran.
Cresswell Willow (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Held up, headway 13th, ridden 2 out, led close home, ran on, won at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov beating Midnight Gold (11-7) by 2 1/2l, 15 ran.
Down's Folly (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) Mid-division, hit 8th, headway 12th, chased leaders 4 out, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 15, 3 1/2l behind Cresswell Willow (11-3) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Prince of Persia 11-2 (11-12) Mid-division, headway approaching 12th, led on long run to last, soon clear, easily, won at Huntingdon 3m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs beating Thai Vango (11-0) by 9l, 15 ran.
Spare Me 10-3 (11-0) In touch, mistake 10th, weakened 4 out, remote 3rd when fell last, remounted and walked past line, 3rd of 5, well behind Freeze The Flame (11-0) at Fakenham 2m 5f beg chs (4) sft.
Super Judge (IRE) 25-1 (11-1) Never dangerous, 6th of 15, 25l behind Cresswell Willow (11-3) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Buailteoir (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Held up, headway 15th, chasing winner when blundered 2 out, one pace when mistake last, 2nd of 7, 3l behind Syncopated Rhythm (10-8) at Hereford 3m 1f cnd hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Nov.
Dasher Reilly (USA) 66-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, pushed along after 6, lsot pace 11th, closed when left 3rd 13th, weakened after 4 out, 5th of 9, well behind College Ace (11-5) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Nov.
