held up in touch, every chance 3 out, weakened next
mid-division, not fluent 4th, headway 4 out, soon chasing winner, weakened before last
mid-division, headway 4 out, soon under pressure, weakened next
mid-division, lost place 8th, pulled up after 9th
held up towards rear, headway halfway, led approaching 3 out, challenged before last, kept on well under pressure
in touch, lost place 7th
held up towards rear, headway halfway, led approaching 10th, headed before 3 out, weakened next
behind, headway 4 out, chased winner after 2 out, no extra flat
tracked leaders, weakened 9th, pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, lost place 7th, pulled up 10th
in touch, lost place before 4 out
behind, headway 3 out, soon every chance, weakened when hit next
led, headed approaching 4 out, soon under pressure and weakened
held up mid-division, weakened approaching 3 out
McCoy's record for Jim Best swings the vote in favour of JADES DOUBLE despite Storm Haven's cosy win in a seller whilst Orchard House and Festive Chimes may be able to get back on track. The champion has ridden six winners from just fifteen rides for the Lewes based trainer in the past five seasons and it's that impressive strike rate that ensures Jades Double gets the vote. The mare has only won one of her sixteen starts over hurdles and was tailed off last time but the jockey booking suggests that better is expected. Stablemate Rocky Ryan may improve for the switch to handicapping as may Harlaxton who steps up in trip and wears blinkers for the first time. Headgear did the trick for Storm Haven last time as he ran out a ready winner of a seller at the track but a 13lb rise and longer trip raise sufficient doubts to look elsewhere. Festive Chimes is well handicapped on her old form and posted a slightly more encouraging performance last time whilst Orchard House was progressing along the right lines until failing to fire at Wetherby. Supa Tramp has been running well and could find a little more for the fitting of cheekpieces but in a race where none boast convincing profiles we'll put our faith in McCoy and side with Jades Double.
Orchard House (FR) 11-2 (11-1) Prominent, ridden and lost pace 7th, tailed off, 8th of 14, well behind Falpiase (11-11) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.
Festive Chimes (IRE) 22-1 (10-5) In touch, outpaced 3 out, no impression from next, 5th of 11, 21l behind Picaroon (11-3) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Dec.
Storm Haven 12-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, headway before 8th, led on bit 3 out, clear next, very easily, won at Fakenham 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd beating Something Gold (11-9) by 13l, 7 ran.
Henri Prends Garde (FR) 50-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, went prominent 7th, not fluent 8th, weakening when mistake 3 out, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Menelaus (11-0) at Towcester 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Nov '07, 17 ran.
Rocky Ryan (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) Behind from 6th, 5th of 11, well behind Shalone (11-5) at Kempton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Lets Get Busy (IRE) 8-1 (10-4) Behind, mistake 4th, jumped left, ridden when unseated rider at the 9th in race won by Tempting Paradise (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Sept, 10 ran.
Supa Tramp 7-1 (11-2) In touch, ridden and effort 2 out, kept on same pace approaching last, 3rd of 12, 8l behind Cruise Director (11-7) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Dec.
Tarkesar (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, led next, ran on well from last, ridden out, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl (5) sft in Dec beating Ruby Crown (11-9) by 1/2l, 17 ran.
Harlaxton (IRE) 150-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, weakened approaching 7th, 13th of 14, well behind Dzesmin (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Tashkandi (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Prominent, led 4th to 8th, weakened 3 out, 12th of 18, well behind Creinch (11-12) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Apr.
Blueland (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Mid-division, ridden 8th, struggling 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 10, 29l behind Heir To Be (11-7) at Folkestone 2m 6f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gs.
Friends of Tina (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, weakened 2 out, 5th of 16, 11l behind Quay Meadow (11-0) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Dec.
Spider Boy 12-1 (9-11) Led, headed 3 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 7, 42l behind Snake Charmer (11-6) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Tanktastic 25-1 (10-1) Held up, ridden 8th, stayed on from 2 out, 4th of 11, 14l behind Nearly A Breeze (10-1) at Exeter 2m 7f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd.
Celtic Heather (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Mid-division, ridden approaching 2 out, no impression, 7th of 16, 26l behind Lawgiver (11-1) at Catterick 2m 3f amt hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Dec.
Jades Double 7-2 (11-8) Tended to jump right, led, mistake before and headed 9th, weakened quickly next, 8th of 9, well behind Burgess Hill (11-0) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Dec.
