tracked leading pair, 2nd after 10th until blundered 12th, chased leading pair until 4 out, no impression when left modest 3rd after next
led until after 3rd, chased winner until after 10th, chased leading pair, 2nd again 12th, pushed along and held when mistake and went left 3 out, no chance with winner
never fluent, tracked leaders on outside, mistake and lost place briefly 10th, jumped slowly and behind 11th, tailed off when blundered 4 out, pulled up before next
tracked leader, led after 3rd, made rest, in command after 3 out, stayed on strongly
last pair, behind when blundered 12th, tailed off 4 out
tracked leaders, weakened 13th
held up in rear, never on terms, left poor 4th after 3 out, blundered last
tracked leaders on inside, 3rd 4 out, travelling well when jumped into rival heels and unseated rider after 3 out
Most of these can be given a chance if at their best but Relentless Dreamer returns from an absence 11lb higher than his latest success. Moss On The Mill scored at Ludlow a fortnight ago and should go well again while Cottersrock and Minellacelebration have won a beginners’ chase at Uttoxeter and a novices handicap at Aintree respectively. Fort Worth is still looking for his first win over fences but is preferred to Impulsive American while Luccombe Down and dual hurdles winner EARTHMOVES make their chasing debuts. The latter will be sharper for a recent pipe-opener over timber and may well be capable of much better over fences given he’s a half-brother to high-class chaser and stablemate Pitt Zig.
Cottersrock (IRE) 3-1 (11-5) Not that fluent, tracked leaders on outside, mistake 6th, weakened after 3 out, 4th of 6, dist behind Heron Heights (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m (2) gd in Oct.
Minellacelebration (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Led, ridden before 4 out, soon headed, one pace in 3rd before last, 4th of 6, 17 1/4l behind Laurium (11-8) at Exeter 3m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Earthmoves (FR) 5-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, pushed along and outpaced after 3 out, rallied approaching 2 out, went 3rd and not fluent last, 3rd of 7, 3 3/4l behind Red Infantry (10-13) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Relentless Dreamer (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, driven 2 out, one pace in 4th when left 3rd approaching last, stayed on to challnge and every chance flat, just held, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Set List (11-7) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Luccombe Down 16-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, 2nd 8th, led 3 out, headed 2 out, stayed on same pace flat, 5th of 14, 3 1/4l behind Golden Doyen (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Moss On The Mill 8-1 (11-6) Mid-division, 3rd from 12th, 2nd before 18th, led approaching 4 out, edged right before 2 out, jinked left last, idled, ridden out, won at Ludlow 3m 2f hcp (3) gd in Nov beating By The Boardwalk (11-12) by 2l, 9 ran.
Impulsive American 9-1 (10-13) Not fluent, always in rear, 7th of 9, 14 1/2l behind Un Beau Roman (10-13) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Fort Worth (IRE) 4-1fav (11-8) Held up in mid-division, not fluent 5th, headway before 11th, 2nd 4 out until next, 3rd and held last, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 10, 6 1/4l behind Caulfields Venture (11-12) at Exeter 3m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
