soon in rear and never going that well, several slow jumps, behind 8th, pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, not fluent 1st, went 2nd from 3rd, ridden after 5 out, not fluent 4 out, one pace flat
led, hit 3rd, rider lost iron briefly 5th, not fluent next, edged right after 4 out, headed before 2 out, no extra flat
held up, closed when not fluent 5 out, soon outpaced, unable to get on terms, stayed on flat, went 4th close home
held up behind leaders, not fluent 8th, effort after 4 out, no impression, mistake last
tracked leader until 3rd, in touch, challenging when mistake 3 out, led before 2 out, pressed flat, edged left close home, held on
Stow and Pensnett Bay are the two course winners on show and both should be on the premises if turning up somewhere approaching their best. Hollins is another to note as he didn't run at all badly last time and receives lumps of weight all round, whilst Ringa Bay has yet to find his useful hunter chase form since moving to the Bridgewater yard. The Thirsty Bricky is a possible on the best of his Irish chase form but in a race of ifs and buts, the choice falls upon DANCING ART. Off for a year. he proved a useful sort when last seen over the larger obstacles and this rates a good starting point on his return to action. Moreover, the form of his yard this month has been exceptional and he is a chance worth taking in an uninspiring contest.
Stow 25-1 (11-5) Mid-division, lost place when bumped 4th, mistake 10th, jumped slowly and ridden 12th, behind next, tailed off, 8th of 11, well behind Trafalgar (10-12) at Worcester 2m 7f nov hcp chs (0-125) (3) sft in Oct.
Ringa Bay 15-2 (11-9) Led 1st, headed next, prominent, led again between 10th & 11th, headed 12th, tracked leader, ridden 3 out, weakened last, 6th of 10, 38l behind Italian Master (11-12) at Market Rasen 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft.
Pensnett Bay 4-1 (11-9) Led, pecked 5th, headed before 6 out, blundered 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up after 2 out, in a race won by Highrate (10-6) at Hexham 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in May, 9 ran.
The Thirsty Bricky (IRE) 22-1 (11-7) Mid-division, lost place 9th, last and ridden before 13th, well beaten after next, tailed off, 6th of 7, well behind Wild Geese (11-8) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in May.
Dancing Art (IRE) 6-4fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, jumped right and lost 2nd last, no extra flat, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Cool Operator (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Nov '12.
Duke Of Monmouth (IRE) 15-2 (11-1) Tracked leaders, reminders after 11th, soon lost place, tailed off, pulled up, in a race won by Annacotty (11-4) at Kempton 3m nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs, 10 ran.
Hollins 10-1 (10-0) Held up in last pair, not fluent 3rd, headway approaching 10th, went one paced 3rd approaching 2 out, no chance with very easy winner, 3rd of 7, 10l behind Forest Walker (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft.
