chased leader until 7th, chased leaders, reminder after 11th, pushed along before 13th, outpaced 3 out
lost place 3rd, behind 6th, lost touch 8th, tailed off
led, pushed along before 12th, narrowly headed 3 out, rallied, no extra in 3rd before 2 out
tracked leaders, hit 13th, weakening when mistake 3 out
held up, hit 3 out, headway chasing leaders after 3 out, 3rd and pecked 2 out, went 2nd at the last, stayed on run-in, no extra towards finish
held up, headway chasing leaders approaching 7th, mistake and lost place 10th, weakened 4 out, stumbled 2 out, pulled up before last
chased leaders, went 2nd 4th, led before 2 out until 2 out, lost 2nd at the last, weakened run-in
held up in last trio, headway chasing leaders before 10th, led 3 out until before 2 out, led again 2 out, pressed run-in, found bit extra towards finish
LOOSE CHIPS is a standing dish in these veterans’ chases and the handicapper has given him a chance today with Tom Buckley’s 6lb claim a further plus. Troubled Soul is rarely beaten far but her stamina will be tested with a strong gallop. High Counsel has more to do than when successful at Southwell but Bob Ford shouldn’t be far away given he arrives in peak form and a case can also be made for Uhlan Bute and Water Wagtail.
Bob Ford (IRE) 9-4 (11-0) Taken to post early, led, headed 10th, tracked winner, led again briefly 4 out, kept on same pace, 2nd of 4, 3l behind Knockoura (11-1) at Bangor-on-Dee 3m hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Uhlan Bute (FR) 4-1 (11-11) Led until 5th, lost place 5 out, well beaten before 3 out, 4th of 6, 19 1/4l behind Finnegan's Garden (10-9) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Loose Chips 9-1 (11-2) Led, headed 10th, tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, outpaced 2 out, 4th of 8, 28 1/2l behind Le Boizelo (11-2) at Sandown 3m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Ultimatum Du Roy (FR) 40-1 (12-0) Held up in mid-division, headway on outside 7th, ridden before 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 11, 32l behind Hard To Forget (11-10) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Troubled Soul (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, went 2nd from 5 out, challenged 3 out, led 2 out, headed last, no extra and just held on for 2nd place close home, 2nd of 5, 2 1/4l behind Parlour Maid (11-10) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Flaming Charmer (IRE) 33-1 (11-11) Led, joined 7th, headed 9th, driven 4 out, lost place next, last of 10, dist behind Kilbrew Boy (12-1) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Dec.
Water Wagtail 6-1 (10-2) Keen early, tracked leaders, led 3rd, ridden and pressed from 2 out, driven and headed towards finish, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Fr Humphrey (10-7) at Huntingdon 3m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
High Counsel (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Held up, not fluent 6th, closed 10th, went 2nd 4 out, led next, clear flat, stayed on, won at Southwell 3m 2f hcp (5) hvy in Dec beating Carlo Rocks (11-9) by 3 1/4l, 7 ran.
