in touch, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out
tracked leader, led 11th, joined 4 out, ridden clear from 2 out, blundered last, comfortably
close up, joined winner 4 out until ridden 2 out, kept on one pace
in touch, reminders 4th, ridden 4 out, beaten next
in touch in rear, reminders 3rd, ridden 11th, weakened 14th, soon behind
led, headed 11th, weakened 13th, pulled up before next
Baileys Concerto is probably better than he's shown so far while Ballypatrick was only beaten a short-head at Huntingdon last week. But the interesting one in this is BUCK'S BOND, a strapping gelding who has already won twice between the flags and once over hurdles. Chasing was always going to be his game and he should take all the beating if fully recovered from a hard race in the mud at Kempton. Flemi Two Toes has been a little disappointing over timber this season but is another who could improve for a switch to fences and he's preferred to the maiden Minella Ranger and Watch House.
Baileys Concerto (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) In touch, ridden and one pace approaching 4 out, 5th and no chance when mistake last, 5th of 11, 37l behind Tafika (10-11) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) hvy in Dec.
Ballypatrick (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Prominent, not fluent 9th, challenged 3 out, led last, soon edged right, bumped close home, headed last strides, 2nd of 12, shd behind Arbeo (10-11) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs.
Buck's Bond (FR) 5-1 (11-5) Raced wide, held up in last trio but in touch, headway to chase leaders 7th, every chance 3 out, ridden in modest 4th soon after and soon beaten, poor 5th when blundered 2 out, eased, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Cloudy Copper (11-8) at Kempton 3m nh nov hdl (3) sft in Jan.
Flemi Two Toes (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Led, headed before 4 out, chased leaders, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 12, 28l behind Mauricetheathlete (10-12) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) hvy in Jan.
Minella Ranger (IRE) 50-1 (10-1) Held up in rear, headway 7th, ridden and weakened after 3 out, 11th of 13, well behind Master Of The Sea (11-3) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Jan.
Watch House (IRE) 11-2 (10-7) Led until 3 out, driven and unseated rider next, in a race won by Groomed (10-7) at Fakenham 2m mdn chs (5) sft in Jan, 4 ran.
