chased leaders until 8th, soon struggling, weakened 3 out
not jump well, towards rear, blundered 1st and 6th, tailed off when blundered 10th
made most, hit 4th, headed 6th until 8th, kept on well, ridden out
held up, smooth headway after 7th, went 2nd 10th, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on
in touch, joined leaders 5th, led next to 8th, weakened 10th, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, mistake 1st, headway to chase leading pair after 3 out, weakened approaching last
chased leaders, losing place when mistake 7th, jumped left after, weakened 9th
jumped left, held up, hit 2nd, headway after 3 out, stayed on, never troubled leaders
prominent until 6th, chased leaders until weakened 10th
Ericas Charm, Witness Run and Carlton Kings are three against the field in another tough race to call for punters and the narrow vote is given to Witness Run. The selection took a heavy fall last time out but was travelling well at the time, he remains on a fair mark and with his yard in form he is taken to score. Ericas Charm rates the main danger on her latest fourth behind Prince Azzuro but all her best form is on a faster surface and she is taken on with this in mind. Carlton Kings was a fair third behind Idris last time and is another with place claims but he has had plenty of chances off similar marks without taking one and again he looks vulnerable. Prestbury Knight has dropped to a handy mark and could go well at a price while Lord Heccles is from a shrewd in form yard but he may just need the run after a 665 day absence and with this in mind for the winner we return to the unexposed Witness Run.
Ericas Charm 7-2 (10-7) Always in rear, 4th of 5, well behind Principe Azzurro (11-0) at Towcester 2m nov chs (3) hvy in Nov.
Prestbury Knight 12-1 (10-10) Behind, headway from 2 out, kept on flat, nearest finish, 6th of 20, 12l behind After Midnight (9-13) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Nov.
Charlton Kings (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden and hit 9th, led 12th to 4 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 6, 11l behind Idris (11-12) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs.
Witness Run (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Held up in mid-division, 4th when fell at the 11th in race won by Flying Enterprise (10-11) at Wincanton 2m 5f nov chs (4) gs in Nov, 7 ran.
Bunmahon (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Mid-division, slight mistake 7 out, soon no impression under pressure, 11th of 16, 35l behind Marfinca (11-9) at Thurles 2m beg chs gs in Nov.
Lord Heccles (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Held up, mistake 2nd, weakened 3 out, 6th of 11, well behind Briery Fox (11-3) at Fakenham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (D) gd in Feb '05.
Nautic (FR) 100-1 (11-1) Prominent, weakened after 3rd, soon well behind, 18th of 20, well behind Kickahead (11-0) at Warwick 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs.
Dalriath 9-2 (10-0) Led to 7th, soon lost place, weakened from 4 out, 6th of 7, 40l behind Flake (11-12) at Catterick 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Nov.
Royal Fontenailles (FR) 12-1 (9-7) Prominent, ridden and lost place 3 out, beaten when pulled up 2 out in race won by Ellway Prospect (11-0) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Nov, 16 ran.
