chased leaders, led 9th to 12th, stayed prominent, left with every chance when winner jumped violently left last 3, held run-in
hit 1st, held up, hampered 3rd, headway 7th, weakened 10th, tailed off
with leaders, led and mistake 5th, headed 9th, led 12th, jumped violently left last 3, driven and stayed on well run-in
held up, ridden and hit 10th, soon struggling, tailed off
left in lead 3rd, headed 5th, hit 7th, chased leaders, weakened before 3 out, tailed off
held up, headway to chase leaders from 10th, hit 4 out, left with every chance when winner jumped violently left last 3, stayed on same pace run-in
held up in rear, hit 6th, stayed on from 3 out, not pace to threaten leaders
chased leaders, challenged 4 out, weakened from next
led until mistake, jumped left and unseated rider 3rd
Pressgang wasn't given the toughest of rides last time behind Herecomesthetruth, form that looks solid, so watch out for Paul Webber's gelding in the betting, however the tentative vote goes THE JOLLY SPOOFER ahead of Laredo Sound. Emma Lavelle's purple patch continues and The Jolly Spoofer impressed when winning on his comeback at Ludlow. He was then easy to back when held in fourth at Folkestone (bad mistake late on but beaten anyway), but if the ground stays good and the market says 'yes', then get the wheelbarrow out. Laredo Sound ran well in defeat last time but not well enough for those who backed him into 13/8 favouritism. The winner, Deep Purple, is pretty special however and he lost no caste in defeat. Hivikos represents a strong team but he has proven to be frustrating to follow so far, Paradise Regained and Berings Express are both consistent an unlikely to be far away, Supreme Duke was fair over hurdles and is pitched straight into handicap company on his chasing debut, whilst Rodrigo Gonzales probably has a tough task under top-weight. A very competitive Novice' handicap chase, and we will side with The Jolly Spoofer.
Rodrigo Gonzales (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) In touch, outpaced 3 out, weakened next, 3rd of 6, well behind According To Pete (11-4) at Hexham 3m 1f nov chs (3) hvy in Nov.
Laredo Sound (IRE) 13-8fav (11-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 4 out, soon ridden, kept on but always held by winner, 2nd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Deep Purple (11-0) at Taunton 2m beg chs (4) gs in Nov.
Pressgang 7-1 (11-0) Tracked winner from 5th, mistake 4 out, effort after 3 out, kept on, always held, 2nd of 5, 2l behind Herecomesthetruth (11-6) at Taunton 2m 3f nov chs (3) sft.
Paradise Regained (FR) 12-1 (11-1) Held-up in touch, headway 10th, left in lead 12th, blundered last, soon headed, no extra, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Cool Operator (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov chs (3) gd in Nov.
The Jolly Spoofer (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Held up last, went 3rd soon after 3 out, ridden and weakened before 2 out, hit last, 4th of 5, 12l behind Rustarix (11-1) at Folkestone 2m 5f nov chs (3) gd in Nov.
Berings Express (FR) 5-1 (11-6) Held up, improved to go 3rd and 13th, ridden 3 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out, 3rd of 7, 11l behind Backbord (11-0) at Fakenham 3m nov chs (3) gs in Nov.
Supreme Duke (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Mid-division until badly hampered 3rd, towards rear, ridden and headway after 3 out, weakened next, 9th of 15, well behind Aux Le Bahnn (11-8) at Sandown 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Nov.
Hivikos (FR) 9-2jt-fav (11-6) Hampered 2 out, always mid-division, 9th of 19, 12l behind Sunnyhillboy (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Dream Falcon 7-1 (9-12) Tracked leader, hit 10th, led approaching 4 out, jumped left 2 out, ridden out, won at Ludlow 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs beating Paquet Cadeau (11-3) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
