took keen hold, held up in rear, steady headway from 11th, tracked leaders going well 4 out, hit 3 out, led going well 2 out, in command when hit last, eased near finish
soon tailed off in rear, never travelling, appeared to try to refuse 9th and soon pulled up
chased leaders until lost place 10th, looked struggling when badly hampered 13th, no chance after
held up, not fluent 2nd, mistake 11th, struggling before 4 out
held up, steady headway 10th, close up and travelling OK when fell 13th
chased leaders, led 12th, ridden and headed 2 out, no chance with winner from last
mistake 1st, led and soon clear, reduced lead 11th, headed next, weakened 3 out
mistake 1st, prominent, chased leader 11th, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace in 3rd when hit last
prominent in chasing group, weakened approaching 3 out
mistake 1st, chased leaders early, behind when blundered 10th, soon struggling and pulled up
HIGH JACK is preferred here to Red Jester and Western Whiskey in what looks a competitive handicap. The selection was third on a recent comeback run at Uttoxeter and it was an effort filled with promise. He was generally a very progressive individual last year as a novice and with more improvement to come this year he can land this before going on to bigger and better things. The stable are in fair form, as are the Tizzards, who saddle top-weight Like A Duke. He has contested some good races so far but drops in grade today and drops in the weights and therefore he has been given a chance. Any rain would suit for Prince Massini and he needs a market check on this first run for 147 days, whilst Obelix De Longechaux received an asterix after his name that says he is of interest following a good third at Bangor in May. Western Whisky is tried in cheek-pieces today and is to be considered on his reappearance; he could be well-treated and the stable's runners have been going very close. Red Jester got the job done well at the track last time out and the step up in trip shouldn't hinder, Sir Ian is an interesting convert to fences, whilst Bobby Donald needs watching with Robert Thornton a good jockey booking. The Hardy Boy is best at Plumpton, and so it is High Jack who can take home the prize money.
Like A Duke (FR) 14-1 (11-3) Held up in 3rd, took keen hold, ridden after 2 out, soon weakened, fell last, in a race won by Ashkazar (11-3) at Stratford 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Oct, 3 ran.
Prince Massini (IRE) 7-2 (10-3) Towards rear, mistakes 6th and 10th, lost touch next, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Free Gift (10-6) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Jun, 7 ran.
High Jack (IRE) 4-1fav (11-2) Soon in touch, not fluent 8th, ridden after 4 out, hit 3 out, no chance with winner, one pace, 3rd of 10, 8l behind Jump Jet (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Oct.
Obelix De Longechaux (FR) 20-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, headway from 3 out, ridden approaching next, stayed on, 3rd of 15, 6l behind Michigan d'Isop (11-0) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in May.
Western Whisky (FR) 11-10fav (11-1) Held up, headway 9th, challenged 4 out, driven and one pace from next, 2nd of 5, 6l behind Danny Zuko (10-10) at Haydock 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Mar.
Red Jester 3-1fav (11-3) Tracked clear leader, headway 4 out, led after next, clear last, driven out, won at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd beating Tempting Paradise (11-10) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Sir Ian (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) Led until approaching 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 8th of 12, 41l behind High Carol (10-11) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Oct.
Bobby Donald (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Held up in touch, effort 2 out, one pace from last, 3rd of 10, 9l behind Or d'Oudairies (11-9) at Bangor 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Feb.
The Hardy Boy 16-1 (11-3) Held up in touch and keen, chased leaders approaching 9th, weakened approaching last, 5th of 10, 22l behind American World (11-11) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
Leneygaff (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Mistake 1st, soon in rear, behind 8th, tailed off, 8th of 10, well behind Jump Jet (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Oct.
Major Euro (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Mid-division, behind from 9th, 6th of 10, 36l behind Jump Jet (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Oct.
