held up, outpaced approaching 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, no impression
always behind, weakened 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, challenged 2f out, hung left approaching last, soon driven, led last 100 yards
held up mid-division, ridden and hit 5 out when behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
held up, ridden after 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out
held up, outpaced approaching 3 out
led and raced wide, ridden and headed 3 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, led 3 out, headed final 100 yards, kept on
close up, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching next
always behind
chased leader, weakened after 4 out
towards rear, in 6th and beaten when fell heavily 2 out
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
CHARMAINE WOOD was taken out of a race at Towcester last weekend when the ground got too bad and rerouted here and the move can pay dividends, while Character Building is a danger. The Alan King-trained selection has won three of her five starts to date including both her hurdles at Towcester. The going will suit her well, and the step up in trip also looks a positive, and with the promise of further improvement to come we will side with her. Character Building, on the other hand, is a battle-hardened opponent. He has largely been campaigned over fences in recent seasons but John Quinn switched him back to hurdles with success in November and from a 10lb higher mark today he will be very competitive. Neil King saddles Serhaaphim, and the mare has her ground and some solid enough form to boot, though this mark might again find her out. Halla San hasn't quite transferred all of his undoubted flat racing abilities to hurdling, but is not one to write off by any means. Soft ground suits, as should this trip and he could be a major player here if he can find further improvement. Laredo Sound might get back on track with first-time cheek pieces fitted, but he would ideally prefer better ground, while Kack Handed won't mind conditions and is unexposed, so might perhaps make the frame at a price. For the winner though we will side with Charmaine Wood.
Character Building (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) In touch, not fluent 11th, challenged 2 out, still every chance flat, no extra final 100 yards, 3rd of 13, 3l behind Rambling Minster (11-8) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs.
Halla San 10-1 (11-12) Mid-division, closer in 6th 4 out, no impression under pressure in moderate 5th approaching straight, kept on, 3rd of 19, 9l behind Darenjan (10-10) at Galway 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-116 gs in Aug.
Laredo Sound (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Hit 1st, held up, hampered 3rd, headway 7th, weakened 10th, tailed off, 8th of 9, well behind Pressgang (11-12) at Kempton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Dec.
Pocket Aces (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) In touch, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 13th of 19, 28l behind Royaleety (10-2) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gd in Dec.
Prideus (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) In touch, ridden and every chance last, one pace flat, 5th of 17, 8l behind Culcabock (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Dec.
Smugglers Bay (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Not fluent in rear, ridden 4 out, soon behind, 9th of 12, 28l behind Final Veto (10-0) at Wetherby 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Dec.
Charmaine Wood 2-5fav (11-7) Held up, headway 4th, led 2 out, clear last, won at Towcester 2m mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Nov beating Flutter Bye (11-1) by 10l, 12 ran.
Oscardeal (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Led, headed approaching 3 out, soon weakened and pulled up 2 out in race won by Sheriff Hutton (11-12) at Doncaster 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Dec, 14 ran.
Serhaaphim 7-2 (11-5) Led, joined 9th, headed before 4 out, weakened next, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Midnight Chase (11-7) at Fakenham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
Kack Handed 7-1 (10-12) Chased leader, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 13, 6l behind Grizebeck (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Realism (FR) 14-1 (10-7) Behind, outpaced 5th, never dangerous, 9th of 11, well behind Pagan Starprincess (11-5) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
Imtihan (IRE) 10-1 (9-13) Prominent, lost pace 8th, soon no impression, 8th of 12, 26l behind Final Veto (10-0) at Wetherby 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Dec.
Currahee 25-1 (10-3) With leaders, ridden 3 out, no impression from next, 5th of 11, 12l behind Pagan Starprincess (11-5) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
Bedlam Boy (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Led to 3rd, remained close up, led again when hit 3 out, narrow lead when blundered badly and unseated rider 3 out in race won by Palomar (11-4) at Catterick 2m nov chs (3) gs in Dec, 10 ran.
King Jack 14-1 (11-7) In touch, hit 3 out, stayed on to chase leaders approaching next, one pace approaching last, 4th of 19, 9l behind Mister Gloss (11-7) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Inner Voice (USA) 12-1 (11-12) Towards rear, ridden and chased leaders approaching 3 out, kept on one pace from next, 3rd of 10, 12l behind Luna Landing (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf in Dec.
Hernando Royal 6-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, hit 5th, went 2nd after 3 out, driven to take narrow lead 2 out, headed flat, no extra, 4th of 12, 2l behind Sunnyhillboy (10-12) at Sandown 2m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Dec.
