raced wide, held up in rear, not fluent 6th, brief effort on wide outside before 2 out, soon outpaced
raced wide, held up in rear, smooth headway on wide outside after 3 out, edged left and led approaching last, hung left and headed flat, stayed on under pressure
held up in touch, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
led, hit 9th, headed well before last, soon weakened
chased leaders, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, making headway when blundered 3 out, driven and staye on under pressure flat, not pace of leading pair
in touch, headway 7th, weakened 3 out, mistake next, tailed off
behind, headway to chase leaders before 2 out, stayed on same pace from next
chased leader to 6th, soon behind, driven and struggling 9th, tailed off when pulled up approaching 2 out
A chance is taken with Freetown, who wrestles the nomination from Ladalko, Just Beth and Magnifico in this tricky handicap hurdle. Magnifico and Just Beth are closely matched on their recent form and their is unlikely to be too much between them if they both run to their best. The latter has a better record on heavy ground though and she is fancied to come out on top in that personal battle. Ladalko reverts to hurdles after a series of expensive blunders during his chasing exploits. The gelding has plenty of ability though and would surely have won more races were it not for his clumsiness over fences. He is no slouch in this sphere though and will be dangerous to rule out completely. He looks worthy of a saver. However, there may be better value with Freetown, who has been threatening to win a race for a while now. Cheltenham has been a happy hunting ground for the 10-year-old and, at the likely odds, Freetown looks the best alternative to the talented but ultimately frustrating Ladalko.
Mistanoora 20-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, steady progress from 3 out, ridden after 2 out, kept on same pace, 6th of 16, 22l behind Material World (10-5) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) sft in Dec.
Ladalko (FR) 3-1fav (11-12) Held up in rear until fell at the 8th in race won by Tana River (11-5) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Dec, 11 ran.
Freetown (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, led after 3 out, ridden and hung right approaching last, headed run-in, kept on, 2nd of 16, nk behind Material World (10-5) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) sft in Dec.
Magnifico (FR) 12-1 (11-6) Chased leader, led 4 out, headed last, kept on, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Just Beth (10-10) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) sft in Dec.
Just Beth 7-1 (10-10) Held up, chased leaders halfway, ridden 8th, led last, driven out, won at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) sft in Dec beating Magnifico (11-6) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Heir To Be 25-1 (10-11) In touch, ridden and hit 3 out, weakened approaching next, 5th of 21, 18l behind Karanja (11-1) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Nov.
Beare Necessities (IRE) 33-1 (9-13) Held up, headway when not much room, blundered and almost unseated rider 2 out, rallied approaching last, stayed on to take 3rd flat, 3rd of 9, 2l behind Ben's Turn (10-9) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec.
Biscar Two (IRE) 100-1 (9-12) Held up, never dangerous, 13th of 16, well behind Border Castle (10-9) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
Jug Of Punch (IRE) 16-1 (9-13) Towards rear, ridden 7th, headway approaching 10th, ridden to chase leader 2 out, one pace, 2nd of 15, 3 1/2l behind Before Dark (11-0) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Water Pistol 20-1 (10-0) Always behind, blundered 8th, never dangerous, 6th of 8, 30l behind Eborarry (10-7) at Market Rasen 2m 2f nov chs (4) sft in Dec.
