tracked leader from 2nd until approaching 7th, weakened next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
always prominent, led approaching 3 out, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, one pace approaching last
always behind, mistake and reminders 3rd, ridden 5th, no chance when hampered 2 out
held up towards rear, brought down 6th
held up, headway 6th, ridden 8th, weakened after 3 out, left 3rd and hampered 2 out
held up in rear, mistake 3rd, ridden approaching 6th, headway 8th, weakened after 3 out
in touch, led approaching 7th until approaching 3 out, led approaching 2 out, comfortably
always behind, hampered 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up and pulled hard, headway 7th, 12 lengths 3rd and beaten when fell 2 out
tracked leader to 1st, prominent until fell 6th
led to approaching 6th, weakened before next, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, headway 6th, weakening when not much room after 3 out, no chance when hampered 2 out
Penny's Crown gets what can only be a tentative vote in a moderate contest where the main dangers look likely to come from Christmas Truce and Ask The Umpire. The last mentioned has solid claims on the form shown when landing a similar contest at Chepstow last month but disappointed at Worcester subsequently and is probably best watched at present. Red Nose Lady has been running well in better races than this of late but would not want any further rain and of more interest may be Mantles Prince, who has slipped to a fair mark. Greenacres Boy has claims on his best but is inconsistent and a bigger threat is likely to come from Christmas Truce, who is a consistent performer in this grade. The vote though goes to Penny's Crown, who has dropped to an attractive mark and will not mind any further rain.
Mantles Prince 28-1 Mid-division, ridden from 7th, headway under pressure 9th to chase leaders, weakened approaching last, 5th of 13, 22l behind Timidjar at Taunton 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (G) gf.
Sconced (USA) 9-1 Behind, lost action and pulled up at the 6th in race won by Jumbo's Dream at Hexham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (F) sft in Mar, 11 ran.
Penny's Crown 4-1 Held up mid-division, ridden and stayed on from 3 out, chased leaders from last, no impression, 3rd of 14, 4 1/2l behind Adjawar at Hereford 2m 1f nov sll hdl (G) gd.
Christmas Truce (IRE) 6-1 Prominent, ridden and outpaced 5th, stayed on from 2 out, 4th of 14, 6l behind Adjawar at Hereford 2m 1f nov sll hdl (G) gd.
Ask The Umpire (IRE) 10-3co-fav Chased leaders, ridden 9th, weakening when mistake 3 out, 5th of 8, well behind Gee Aker Malayo at Worcester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (F) gs.
Spring Bee 14-1 Prominent to 4th, soon weakened, 13th of 15, well behind Fairly Smart at Chepstow 2m mrs hcp hdl (F) hvy in Jan.
