mid-division until 5th, gradually lost touch, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
in touch, reminders after 4th, lost touch after 7th, pulled up before 9th
held up behind, steady progress from 8th, ridden into 4th after 3 out, stayed on under strong pressure flat, led near finish
in touch until 6th, soon struggling, behind and pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, ridden and lost place 3 out, stayed on again flat, went 3rd close home
held up towards rear, smooth headway from 7th, went 2nd and travelling well after 3 out, ridden next, weakened last
chased leaders, ridden approaching 8th, one pace from 3 out
led until 9th, soon ridden, pressed leader, every chance when pecked last, no extra near finish
held up towards rear, headway 7th, weakened after next, pulled up before 3 out
chased leader, led 9th, not fluent 3 out, soon ridden, no extra when caught close home
Nonrunner
A chance is taken on Grenfell, who has shown a good level of consistency and rates as good value over Little Rort, Win A Rose and Thedreamstillalive. The last named has not stood much racing of late but showed he retains ability by making a winning reappearance at Wincanton last season, so has gone well fresh in the past. He is one to monitor in the betting. Win A Rose has hit form lately and has to be a leading contender at this level. She does look weighted to the hilt though, so needs everything to go her way. Little Rort beat trees in a seller last time and has more on his plate today. However, his confidence will have been boosted and, as he likes the test that Taunton presents, he should be capable of making his presence known. However, the vote goes to Grenfell, who is going the right way and, as he has very little to find to get involved in the shake-up, the Nigel Twiston-Davies-trained gelding represents the best betting proposition on offer here.
Windy Spirit (IRE) 11-4fav (10-11) Behind, headway after 11th, weakened 14th, 6th of 10, 25l behind Meehan (11-4) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Oct.
Stars Delight (IRE) 25-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 18, 10l behind Fleetwood Forest (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Manawanui 16-1 (10-6) Tracked leader, ridden and weakened 7th, 9th of 17, well behind The Real Deal (10-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Koumba (FR) 7-2 (10-4) Led until 2nd, chased leader until after 7th, gradually faded, 6th of 9, well behind Helm (11-2) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.
Thedreamstillalive (IRE) 3-1jt-fav (11-7) Held up, headway 10th, ridden to lead after 2 out, headed towards finish, 2nd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Monger Lane (10-12) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs.
Win A Rose (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Held up, headway after 3rd, ridden 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 3rd of 16, 10l behind Radnor Lad (10-12) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Dec.
Grenfell (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Mid-division, hampered on bend after 8th, stayed on again from 3 out, 4th of 16, 13l behind Hello It's Me (10-10) at Ludlow 2m 5f amt hcp hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Little Rort (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway after 9th, chased leaders 3 out, ridden to lead approaching 2 out, driven clear, won at Taunton 3m sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Dec beating Ikemba (10-8) by 6l, 13 ran.
