ran in snatches, prominent 7th, weakened 2 out
in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, went 2nd last, stayed on same pace
led to 1st, led again after 3rd, headed 7th, weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
with leaders, fell 7th
in touch, pushed along before 5th, reminders and dropped to rear after 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up in rear, headway approaching 9th, weakened 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, ridden after 7th, headway before 9th, led approaching 2 out, headed before last, weakened flat
took keen hold, led 3rd, headed after 3rd, regained lead 7th, headed approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace flat
behind 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, headway 6th, blundered 7th, ridden and dropped to modest 7th before 3 out, rallied approaching 2 out, led before last, stayed on
THE HARDY BOY handles these conditions well, and is taken to get the better here of Mr Big and Honour's Dream. He handles the soft ground and is racing off a lower mark than he's won at, and although all of his jumps successes have come at Plumpton, he should adapt to this step up in trip on another left-handed course. Mr Big has weight in hand on all, and comes here on the back of an apprentices' success at Folkestone. Again, the ground holds no fears. Honour's Dream has also won in the mud, although he fell time last time out. Plenty of these have won over course and or distance; Noble Billy is the only one to tick both boxes, and that was on soft ground in a better race. It'll be a real stamina sapper, and we think the one to cope the best will be The Hardy Boy.
Prince De Bersy (FR) 9-1 (10-11) In touch, chased winner after 17th, no impression and lost 2nd approaching last, 3rd of 10, 6l behind Jim Bobs Girl (10-5) at Newbury 3m 2f amt hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Honour's Dream (FR) 6-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, ridden to dispute 2 lengths 2nd when fell 3 out in race won by Rathmulen (10-12) at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft, 8 ran.
Innominate (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (12-1) Always towards rear, blundered 4 out, 8th of 12, well behind Chigorin (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Nov.
Sarrococca (IRE) 33-1 (11-8) Held up mid-division, went prominent 7th, led after 4 out, ridden clear 2 out, comfortably, won at Wetherby 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Dec '07 beating Accepting (11-6) by 23l, 17 ran.
Jonny's Kick 20-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, outpaced 4 out, soon weakened, 10th of 13, well behind Orki Des Aigles (10-6) at Market Rasen 3m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Noble Bily (FR) 50-1 (10-8) In touch until 11th, weakened after 4 out, 11th of 16, 46l behind Saunders Road (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cnd hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
Magot de Grugy (FR) 6-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, blundered 8th, hit 11th, weakened before next, 5th of 8, 35l behind Rathmulen (10-12) at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft.
The Hardy Boy 8-1 (11-9) Chased leader, switched right before and left in lead soon after last, quickened clear, won at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Dec beating Keltic Moon (12-2) by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
Young Lorcan 100-1 (9-11) Mid-division, headway 7th, weakened 12th, tailed off and pulled up 4 out in race won by Saunders Road (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cnd hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec, 16 ran.
Mr Big (IRE) 11-4fav (11-5) In touch, blundered 10th, headway after 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, led last, hung left and idled flat but stayed on well, won at Folkestone 2m 5f cnd hcp chs (5) gd beating Perange (11-8) by 4l, 14 ran.
