led until 7th, chased leader until outpaced before 9th, ralllied into modest 3rd 3 out
pecked 1st, tracked leading trio, not fluent 8th, led after 4 out, narrowly headed before last, regained lead last, driven and stayed on gamely run-in
jumped left, pressed leader, led 7th until next, chased leaders, weakened after 4 out
held up in close 5th, headway approaching 8th, chased leaders 4 out, 2nd soon after, challenged from 3 out, led narrowly before last, jumped slowly and headed last, kept on under pressure run-in
often jumped left, chased leading pair, led 8th, pressed when went badly left 4 out, soon headed and hung left, ridden and weakened and went left final 3
Jumps Road is three from three over hurdles around here but has proved hard to predict over fences so far, though he appears to have the beating of Softsong on collateral form. Crookstown still had every chance when falling at the last at Leicester but is 5lb higher here while Gores Island was well beaten off this mark at Huntingdon and probably needs further. MINELLA DEFINITELY made a winning return to chasing over this track and trip on Boxing Day. The runner-up gave the form a boost at Warwick subsequently and the top weight can score again, despite a 10lb higher mark.
Minella Definitely (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Led to after 1st, chased leaders, lost place and behind 5th, headway under pressure 9th, ridden to lead 2 out, carried head high before last, kept on flat, won at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec beating Upepito (11-5) by 6l, 8 ran.
Gores Island (IRE) 15-8 (10-8) Chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, went 2nd 8th until after 11th, stayed on same pace from 2 out, no impression on winner, 3rd of 4, 11l behind Seventh Sky (10-11) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (3) sft.
Jumps Road 5-1 (10-0) Chased leading pair, jumped slowly 4 out, mistake and weakened next, 6th of 7, 32l behind Mr Mole (11-4) at Sandown 2m hcp chs (2) sft.
Crookstown (IRE) 6-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, not fluent 2nd, closed 4th, went 2nd before 3 out, shaken up and 1 length down when fell last, in a race won by Stellar Notion (11-8) at Leicester 2m nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Nov, 8 ran.
Softsong (FR) 12-1 (10-6) Tracked leading pair, challenged 3 out, every chance when not fluent last, ridden and kept on flat, just held when lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 7, 1/2l behind Whispering Harry (10-9) at Taunton 2m nov ltd hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy.
