held up, headway 5th, not fluent next, pecked 8th, not fluent 4 out, soon struggling, weakening when blundered 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
led until after 1st, remained prominent, ridden and weakened 2 out
led after 1st, hit 10th, ridden after 2 out, headed flat, no extra
chased leaders, 2nd before 9th, ridden after 4 out, every chance when jumped slowly last, no extra
chased leaders, jumped slowly 3rd, reminders 5th, last next, lost touch after 7th, soon tailed off, pulled up before 3 out
in rear, reminders after 2nd, not fluent 7th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up before 10th
prominent, pushed along 7th, reminders after next, jumped slowly 10th, soon outpaced and modest 5th, went 3rd after closing 2 out, stayed on under pressure to lead flat, gamely
Woodlands Genpower belied odds of 18/1 when good value for his success over course and distance last time but a 7lb penalty makes life tougher for the 11-year-old and preference is for PLUM PUDDING, who gets the nod over Blaze Ahead. Brendan Powell's gelding has disappointed in his last two starts but he has slipped to an attractive mark and cannot be discounted. Robin Dickin's Jacarado has run below par in both starts since successful over course and distance in November and is probably best watched on ground that is softer than ideal. Fisherman Jack is another course and distance winner and he has to be considered but has disappointed of late and may be a shade high in the weights. Tim Easterby's Jonny's Kick is hard to recommend following some below par efforts of late and preference is for Plum Pudding. Less exposed than most of his rivals, the six-year-old has run well in his last two starts, including when winning here two outings ago, and a reproduction of that form may well suffice in this company.
Plum Pudding (FR) 12-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, steady headway 14th, went 2nd 4 out, driven from next, 1 length down last, battled on well flat, just held, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind The Ring (11-5) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Dec.
Jonny's Kick 8-1 (11-9) In touch, pushed along before 5th, reminders and dropped to rear after 6th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Mr Big (10-7) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy, 10 ran.
Blaze Ahead (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Led 3rd, made most to 14th, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 14, 28l behind Maori Legend (11-5) at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs.
Hazeljack 20-1 (10-8) Held up in rear, headway 8th, chased leaders 4 out, under pressure when unseated rider 2 out in race won by The Ring (11-5) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Dec, 10 ran.
Jacarado (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, led 7th, mistake 13th, headed 14th, weakened 3 out, virtually pulled up flat, 6th of 9, well behind National Petition (11-0) at Towcester 3m chs 0-90 (5) gs in Dec.
Fisherman Jack 12-1 (11-5) Prominent, ridden after 11th, weakened approaching 4 out, 5th of 14, 30l behind Man of The Moment (11-0) at Towcester 3m hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft.
Woodlands Genpower (IRE) 18-1 (10-11) Always prominent, jumped slowly 4th, not fluent 8th, pushed along from 3 out, led 2f out, stayed on well, won at Towcester 3m beg chs (4) sft beating Pancake (11-0) by 14l, 7 ran.
