disputed lead, until blundered badly 14th, weakened next, pulled up after 3 out
held up in touch, went 3rd after 4th, chased leader approaching 4 out, led soon after 2 out, ridden clear
disputed lead, clear approaching 4 out, jumped awkwardly and headed soon after 2 out, weakened last
jumped slowly, held up, ridden and weakened after 14th
held up in rear, ridden and behind from 9th, soon tailed off, pulled up after 13th
mid-division, ridden 13th, went 3rd 4 out, kept on to take 2nd flat
close up, ridden 10th, lost place next
jumped slow throughout, held up in rear, blundered 14th, never on terms
Not a great opener and one that should chiefly concern Jackson, Tufty Hopper and Eskimo Pie, and our vote goes to Jackson. Alan King's gelding sets the standard on recent form with his second over course and distance last month, though he wouldn't want the ground to get any softer to show his best. A sound jumper based on what we have seen thus far, the yard are also in form and with a clear round he will take a bit of beating. Tufty Hopper got stuck in the mud at Wetherby last time and may also have 'bounded' on his second run back after a long absence. He should be seen to better effect on this going, though perhaps he needs further than this to be seen at his best. Nevertheless, he should be closely involved, as should Eskimo Pie. Chris Bealby's gelding has youth on his side, he handles the ground well, and if he ran up to the form of a couple of outings last autumn he should be involved at the business end. Martin Pipe's Will Of The People makes minimal appeal and for the winner we return to Jackson.
Cupla Cairde 14-1 (10-4) Mid division, ridden approaching 6th, no impression under pressure from before 5 out, 10th of 16, 37l behind Glabejet (11-9) at Tramore 2m 6f hcp chs 0-95 sft in Dec.
Eskimo Pie (IRE) 13-2 (11-2) With leaders, lost place approaching 10th, no chance after, 3rd of 5, 33l behind Don't Be Shy (10-7) at Haydock 2m 4f nov chs (2) hvy in Jan.
Jackson (FR) 9-4fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, effort 14th, blundered 2 out, stayed on, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Thistlecraft (11-5) at Fakenham 3m beg chs (3) gd in Jan.
Mobasher (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Mid-division, hit 6th, mistake and lost place 8th pulled up 4 out in race won by Russian Sky (10-2) at Wetherby 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-130 (C) sft in Dec, 18 ran.
The Rainbow Man 50-1 (11-4) Held up, weakened 4 out, 6th of 9, well behind Unjust Law (11-1) at Fakenham 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Tufty Hopper 11-1 (11-6) Held up but in touch, pushed along 4 out, ridden next, soon tailed off, 4th of 5, well behind Olney Lad (11-6) at Wetherby 2m 7f beg chs (4) hvy in Jan.
Will of The People (IRE) 28-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, mistake 9th, weakened approaching 14th, tailed off when pulled up at the 17th in race won by Dead-Eyed Dick (11-4) at Exeter 4m hcp chs 0-125 (D) sft in Dec, 10 ran.
Beauchamp Prince (IRE) 22-1 (10-7) Mid-division, hit 4th, headway approaching 12th, blundered next, weakened 5 out, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Bob Bob Bobbin (11-5) at Chepstow 3m 2f beg chs (4) sft in Jan, 11 ran.
