took keen hold, held up in rear, headway approaching 3rd, led before next, soon went clear, reduced lead before 5th, not fluent 7th, headed next, weakened quickly after
mid-division, weakened after 4 out
prominent early, tracked leaders, pushed along before 3 out, led but hard pressed from next, driven before last, headed flat, stayed on
chased leaders, lost place before 5th, behind 7th
refused to race
held up towards rear, some headway after 4 out, never on terms, well beaten from next
led until after 1st, chased leaders, weakened before 2 out
led after 1f, headed before 4th, led again 8th, not fluent 3 out, mistake and headed 2 out, weakened flat
held up, headway 8th, challenged going well 2 out, ridden to lead flat, stayed on
behind, mistake 6th, headway 3 out, went 3rd flat, no impression on front pair
Truckers Lodge was always travelling strongly when scoring on heavy ground over course and distance earlier this month. He may still be open to further improvement but does have a 13lb rise to contend with, meaning he is giving that amount to VIRGINIA CHICK (NAP). The latter was a progressive sort in the spring and made a promising comeback over this trip at Newbury – he’ll strip fitter today. Vinnie Lewis is running in his first handicap over the smaller obstacles so can’t be ignored but dour stayer Buckle Street is hard to catch right. Shannon Bridge has only won a maiden so far over hurdles and has been chasing so is best watched. Looks Like Power is also better known as a chaser and runs in this having been balloted out of the big race on the card.
Henryville 7-1 (11-7) Held up behind, mistake 12th, ridden to chase clear leaders after 4 out, never on terms, weakened from 2 out, 6th of 8, 23 3/4l behind Bagad Bihoue (11-2) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp (2) gd in Jun.
Shannon Bridge (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) In touch in rear, struggling before 3 out, soon lost touch, 5th of 6, 17 1/4l behind Ibis Du Rheu (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m (2) gd in Nov.
Truckers Lodge (IRE) 9-4fav (11-6) Always going well, led on bit after 2 out, clear last, easily, won at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) hvy in Dec beating Braventara (11-1) by 10l, 9 ran.
Jeannot De Nonant (FR) 12-1 (11-7) Held up mid-division, pushed along 5 out, weakened next, last of 8, dist behind Crosspark (11-1) at Southwell 3m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Buckle Street 10-1 (10-7) Refused to race, at Cheltenham 3m hcp lst (1) gd in Nov.
Anteros (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and weakened 2 out, 6th of 9, 25 1/2l behind Truckers Lodge (11-6) at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Vinnie Lewis (IRE) 2-9fav (11-4) Led, mistake 2nd, driven 2 lengths clear after 2 out, soon hard pressed, headed narrowly last, ridden and one pace flat, 2nd of 5, 3l behind Craiganboy (10-12) at Ayr 3m (4) hvy in Nov.
Another Emotion (FR) 10-3 (10-6) Mid-division, headway 5 out, chased leaders next, effort 2 out, chased winner last, no extra closing stages, 2nd of 9, 6l behind Eminent Poet (11-7) at Sandown 2m 7f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Virginia Chick (FR) 16-1 (10-8) Held up in last pair, headway 3 out, ridden after next, plugged on into 3rd at the last until near finish, 4th of 12, 10 3/4l behind Vive Le Roi (10-13) at Newbury 3m hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Looks Like Power (IRE) 20-1 (12-0) Held up in rear, blundered 10th, headway when not fluent 4 out, ridden and one pace after next, stayed on under pressure flat, not reach leaders, 4th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Monbeg Gold (11-2) at Exeter 3m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
