chased leader, led 6th, made rest, clear before 3 out, strongly pressed and driven flat, kept on on gamely when pressed towards finish
chased leading pair until after 5th, stayed in 4th until weakened 8th, tailed off
held up in rear, good headway on outside before 6th, went 3rd and hit 8th, chased winner 4 out, ridden and making no impression when not fluent 2 out, rallied flat, always held towards finish
chasedd leading trio, went 3rd after 5th until reminders after 8th, 4th when not fluent 4 out, struggling when stumbled 3 out, tailed off
held up, ridden along and last pair 6th, headway from after 4 out to poor 3rd 3 out, not fluent last 2
in touch, hit 5th, dropped to last and struggling 4 out, tailed off
raced keenly, led, hit 5th, headed next, chased winner until 4 out, went left and lost 3rd 3 out, beaten when blundered 2 out, tailed off
Nonrunner
Not an easy race to fathom and RUSSELLSTOWN BOY can make experience on a softer surface count. He probably holds few secrets from the handicapper and the decision to use a 7lb conditional should be a help come the business end. Noel Chance has been a past master of getting fragile sorts to the track so Oponce is respected on a return from a sizeable absence. Mr Bond said goodbye to his chances at Towcester when making progress at the time and is worthy of respect. Wiesenfurst won for Gary Moore at Fontwell though has struggled to be in position for a follow up. Ponchatrain is tried in a first time visor.
PonchaTrain (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, went 2nd 7th until after 3 out, weakened before next, 12th of 15, 39l behind The Wee Midget (11-6) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Oct.
Brushford (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) In touch, went left 6th, struggling in rear 10th, mistake next, tailed off in 6th 4 out, pulled up before next, in a race won by Qualypso D'allier (11-8) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp 0-90 (5) gs in Oct, 7 ran.
Mr Bond (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway 7th, 3 lenghts 3rd when fell 3 out, in a race won by Owner Occupier (11-12) at Towcester 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Oct, 9 ran.
Wiesenfurst (GER) 28-1 (10-5) Mid-division, behind when hampered 7th, effort after 3 out, no impression, 5th of 13, 43l behind In The Zone (11-6) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Oct.
Oponce (FR) 20-1 (11-9) Rear of mid-division, headway 6th, disputing close 2nd when blundered and unseated rider 3 out, in a race won by Ballybough Jack (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Jul '08, 12 ran.
Bobby Donald (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Held up until blundered and fell 2nd, in a race won by That's The Deal (10-10) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd, 8 ran.
Bold Pioneer (USA) 100-1 (10-11) Pulled hard, tracked leaders, led after 3rd, mistake and unseated rider 4 out, in a race won by Chain Of Command (11-2) at Kempton 2m beg chs (4) gd in Oct, 7 ran.
Russellstown Boy (IRE) 10-3fav (10-1) Held up towards rear, mistake 7th, disputing 4th and held when stumbled and unseated rider 3 out, in a race won by Digger Gets Lucky (10-11) at Chepstow 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Oct, 8 ran.
