held up, closed 9f out, pushed along over 4f out, weakened over 3f out
led, headed 9f out, chased winner until ridden over 4f out, soon beaten, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, took keen hold, closed 9f out, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
tracked leader, led 9f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on well
held up in touch, took keen hold, went 2nd over 4f out until over 3 out, stayed on same pace final furlong
tracked leaders, niggled along 8f out, chased winner over 3f out, hung left over 1f out, stayed on same pace inside final furlong
Cresswell Crusader won a Chepstow bumper on heavy going and showed himself suited by testing ground again when landing a handicap hurdle at Fontwell. He may just have too much basic speed for Golden Call, who won a poor novice hurdle on soft ground over 3m1f here in November. The youngster Optimist has shown a little promise but a chance is taken that THE HOLLINWELL has a going day. Ferdie Murphy's charge won a similar race to this over the C&D just over a year ago and, though generally well beaten over fences subsequently, there's no doubt he has the ability for this if in the right mood.
Cresswell Crusader 13-2 (11-1) Held up in rear, headway halfway, soon chasing leaders, effort 3 out, soon faded, 7th of 18, 36l behind Mauricetheathlete (9-13) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Dec.
Golden Call (IRE) Evensfav (11-5) Led, headed 3out, soon beaten, 4th of 6, well behind South Leinster (10-12) at Catterick 3m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Jaffonnien (FR) 13-2 (11-12) Mid-division, no impression from after 5 out, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Delphi Mountain (11-12) at Killarney 2m 1f beg chs gs in Aug, 14 ran.
The Hollinwell 50-1 (10-4) Jumped left, ridden and struggling after 7th, tailed off, 8th of 14, 39l behind Tatenen (11-3) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gs in Jan.
Theredballoon 10-1 (11-7) Raced wide in touch, went 3rd after 3rd until hit 6th, went 3rd again soon after 3 out, no chance with leading duo when blundered 2 out, weakened to 4th between last 2, 4th of 8, 32l behind Spirit D'armor (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f NH Novice Handicap Hurdle (0-105) (4yo+) (4) sft in Jan.
Optimist (GER) 12-1 (10-2) With leaders, driven and outpaced 4f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on to chase leading pair inside final furlong, no impression, 3rd of 7, 7l behind Abbey Garth (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m NH flat (6) gd in Jan.
