chased winner, hit 13th and ridden, blundered next, lost 2nd 15th, soon struggling in 3rd, left distance 2nd last
tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd 15th, ridden and no chance with winner after 2 out, 8 lenghts down when fell last
jumped well apart from slight mistake 4th, in command soon after 2 out, ridden before last, stayed on strongly
always last, slow jump and ridden 10th, blundered 12th, soon struggling and lost touch, left distant 3rd last
A small but select field and an intriguing contest in store; BREEDSBREEZE handles this ground and that may see a result coming his way. This could have a big impact on the RSA betting for next month at Cheltenham, and at the moment the selection currently floats around the 14/1 mark. That could look generous in an open renewal if he wins this impressively and he could well do. His beating of Massini's Maguire at Kempton has been franked since and with the ground no problem he can continue his unbeaten run over fences. Ballyfitz lost his record last time out at Cheltenham when the stable were in the doldrums; he was beaten by a stablemate of Breedsbreeze but he may well bounce back although heavy ground is an unknown. One horse who will be ok on it is Carruthers who receives 7lb from the two horses mentioned. He beat nothing last time out at Fakenham but he is closely linked with Ballyfitz on a form line through What A Friend who beat him at Uttoxeter. He is a front-runner who jumps well and he must be of interest. Turkish Surprise completes the line-up, and it will be interesting to see how he gets on. He has bumped into two good one's in his two UK starts and remains a horse of some potential. A fascinating clash where jumping out of the ground may be key with two front-runners about, but preference is for Breedsbreeze to sail home.
Ballyfitz 5-6fav (11-9) Led, not fluent 7th, mistake 13th, not fluent 4 out, ridden and headed approaching last, not pace of winner, 2nd of 5, 7l behind What A Friend (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m 1f nov chs (2) gs in Dec.
Breedsbreeze (IRE) 15-8fav (11-7) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 14th, challenged 2 out, soon narrow lead, driven and hung left before last, in command run-in, won at Kempton 3m nov chs Grd 1 (1) gd in Dec beating Massini's Maguire (11-7) by 5l, 6 ran.
Carruthers 2-11fav (11-0) Led 2nd, jumped well throughout, clear before 3 out, very comfortably, won at Fakenham 3m beg chs (4) gs in Jan beating Ballyboley (10-7) by 29l, 6 ran.
Turkish Surprise (FR) 5-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, outpaced 3 out, stayed on from last, 3rd of 6, 4l behind Will Be Done (11-4) at Haydock 2m 4f nov chs Grd 2 (1) sft in Jan.
