prominent, driven and weakened well before 2 out
close up, chased leaders 6th, every chance 2 out, mistake and weakened last
always well in rear, tailed off when hit 2 out
held up towards rear, good headway on outside 6th, chased leaders 3 out, weakened well before 2 out
held up towards rear, ridden and struggling after 3 out
held up tracking leaders, chased leaders 3 out, ridden and every chance 2 out, one pace from last
chase leaders until lost place 6th, rallied approaching 2 out, went 2nd flat, no impression on winner
prominent until lost place before 6th, soon struggling in rear, tailed off
led hit 5th, ridden and headed before last, weakened flat
BOTHY should go well although confidence behind the chances of any one of Royal Collonges, Singapore Reef and Highest Start would obviously be of interest. Ski Sunday won this race last year before finishing second in the Fred Winter at the Cheltenham Festival and it would be no surprise were Bothy to be aimed at the same race next month following this outing. He has won over course and distance but that appeared to be in spite of the track rather than because of it. However, he did prove that he acts around here and he'll need to win this, or go very close, to be guaranteed a run in the handicap or to justify his entry in the Triumph. Royal Collonges is interesting as he has spectacularly failed to deliver on the high hopes that have been held for him but that's resulted in, what could turn out to be, a very attractive mark for his handicap bow. He still holds a couple of entries for Cheltenham, Ruby Walsh rides again but he couldn't be backed with any confidence unless a reason comes to light for his two poor runs for the yard. Highest Start returned a beaten favourite from his handicap bow but wasn't beaten too far and could improve for the fitting of blinkers while Singapore Reef is turned out quickly after a slightly disappointing effort at Kempton and could be worth another chance. One or two others have claims but they're the principal contenders in our eye and, from among that quartet, Bothy is the solid option.
Royal Collonges (FR) Evensfav (10-12) Led until after 5th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 5th of 9, well behind Abbevillian (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) sft in Nov.
Sambulando (FR) 15-2 (10-13) Behind, mistake 7th, headway to modest 3rd before 4 out, no chance with front pair when mistake last, lost 3rd flat, tailed off, 4th of 9, 34l behind Acordeon (10-13) at Ludlow 2m nov chs (3) sft in Dec.
Jocheski (IRE) 10-3fav (10-9) Held up in touch, effort 3 out, outpaced next, no impression approaching last, 4th of 7, 10l behind Special Occasion (11-10) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
Abey M'Boy 14-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, headway 9th, went 2nd 2 out, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Grands Crus (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Bothy Evensfav (10-13) Chased leaders, pushed along after 3 out, went 2nd approaching 2 out, led last, ridden clear flat, readily, won at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan beating Cool Touch (11-4) by 2l, 12 ran.
Sweet World 7-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, took keen hold, headway to chase leading pair when not fluent 3 out, weakened flat, lost 3rd last strides, 4th of 8, 8l behind Karky Schultz (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp hdl 0-125 (3) hvy in Jan.
Highest Start (FR) 2-1fav (10-10) Held up, headway to chase leading pair approaching 3 out, ridden after last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 10, 6l behind Cabinet Minister (11-12) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs.
Beyond Moonbeams 50-1 (11-2) Always behind, tailed off when mistake 3 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Wishfull Thinking (11-11) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hdl (3) sft in Jan, 13 ran.
Singapore Reef (FR) 8-1 (11-3) Held up, towards rear, headway to chase leaders 3 out, no extra from next, 7th of 16, 28l behind Qaspal (11-5) at Kempton 2m cond hcp hdl 0-1115 (4) gs.
Minnie Hill (IRE) 15-2 (11-4) Mid-division on outside, headway 3 out, chased leading pair next, soon ridden, edged right and lost 3rd flat, 4th of 15, 12l behind Vivarini (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Jan.
L'Homme de Nuit (GER) 20-1 (10-10) Chased leaders until weakened 3 out, 7th of 11, 30l behind Alfie Spinner (10-8) at Newbury 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) sft in Jan.
