mid-division, ridden after 5th, blundered 7th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before last
prominent, mistake 8th, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
held up in rear, headway 6th, ridden after 8th, not fluent 3 out, stayed on same pace approaching last
prominent, went 2nd 6th, mistake 4 out, led 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, jumped left and rider unbalanced last, one pace
in touch, weakened approaching 2 out
led until mistake 3 out, regained lead approaching 2 out, soon 4 lengths clear, jumped slowly last, all out flat, holding on towards finish
in rear, mistake 2nd, reminder after 4th, behind 7th, tailed off when pulled up before last
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, reminders after 5th, stayed on to go 2nd after last, closed on winner, held near finish
always behind, pulled up before 4 out
mid-division, behind when jumped right 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
Some rather iffy jumpers in the line-up and it is with little confidence that we side with GREAT TSAR who was well-fancied last time out at Fakenham but got no further than the third fence. The selection was having his first start for new connections last week when unseating his rider but he had shown glimpses of ability for his previous trainer Charlie Longsdon. His new yard, who have a habit of improving horses, have dropped him in trip and it will be interesting to see the level of confidence behind him in this slightly stronger race. A main danger may be Cartier Opera despite his jumping frailties. He won nicely at the track at the start of the month but his jumping has let him down the last twice, and he was only in front at the final fence last time out because a rival had departed a fence earlier. Furze Hill is a course regular who should come on for a recent second to a progressive rival (who has won since) at Market Rasen, whilst Himba's profile is too hit and miss to recommend. Any market support for the ex-Irish Isaac Butt would look interesting as he is dropped in trip, whilst the drop in distance will also suit Lord Gunnerslake and the bottom-weight cannot be ignored despite being 2lb out of the handicap. An open start to the action, but preference is for Great Tsar.
Himba 5-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, lost place from 6th, 5th of 7, well behind One of The Boys (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs.
Furze Hill (IRE) 7-2 (10-6) In touch, ridden and outpaced when left 3rd 3 out, rallied last, ridden and every chance flat, just held, 2nd of 7, nk behind Take It There (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy.
Great Tsar (IRE) 5-4fav (11-7) Held up, unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Satindra (11-6) at Fakenham 2m Conditional Handicap Chase (0-85) (4yo+) (5) gd, 7 ran.
Cartier Opera 6-4fav (11-9) Prominent, mistake 1st, ridden and outpaced 4 out, headway approaching 3 out, mistake and left in lead after 3 out, clear and in command when unseated rider last, in a race won by Flashy Conquest (11-8) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft, 9 ran.
Wild Power (GER) 5-1 (10-7) Held up, headway approaching 8th, went close 2nd approaching 3 out until before last, found nil, 4th of 7, 11l behind Nawow (11-4) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Oct.
Devils River (IRE) 5-1 (11-10) In touch, effort to chase winner briefly 3 out, soon ridden, weakened from next, 6th of 10, 24l behind Calzaghe (11-9) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft.
Isaac Butt (IRE) 25-1 (10-1) Never better than mid-division, weakened 6 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Ameretto Son (10-9) at Punchestown 3m 1f am hcp ch 0-102 in Oct, 22 ran.
Rookery Lad 5-1 (9-8) In rear, chased leaders approaching 2 out, one paced, weakened after last, 4th of 7, 20l behind Jacarado (10-3) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Oct.
King Diamond (FR) 5-1 (9-9) Tracked leaders, one pace from 2 out (no time taken), 3rd of 7, 6l behind One of The Boys (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs.
Simiola 40-1 (10-6) Ridden 6th, always behind, tailed off, last of 8, well behind Cheeky Lad (10-8) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) gf in Aug '06.
Lord Gunnerslake (IRE) 16-1 (10-2) Mid-division, jumped right throughout, weakened 11th, behind when pulled up 2 out, in a race won by Saafend Rocket (11-5) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-85 (5) gf in May, 15 ran.
