took keen hold in touch, ridden and struggling after normal 3 out
fell 1st
in touch, went right 3rd, outpaced bypassing omitted 2 out, kept on flat
led, went right normal 4 out, driven before omitted 2 out, already headed when blundered last, weakened
last pair, never a factor, tailed off
held up towrads rear, headway approaching 3 out, led before last, kept on flat, caught post
disputed 2nd, ridden to challenge bypassing omitted 2 out, chased leader before last, ridden to lead post (no time taken)
prominent, ridden and went 3rd last, kept on same pace flat
chased leaders, awkward jump normal 4 out, weakened next, behind and pulled up before last
last pair, never a factor, tailed off
Five Rivers should go close again off a 4lb higher mark after scoring at Huntingdon on his latest outing. Venetian Lad also has a shout having posted a better effort at Fontwell when second to Speedy Bruere. Both Southway Star and Fairy Rath were well beaten despite filling the runners-up spot on their respective latest outings, however, so a chance is taken on PRINCE BUSTER. Fourth over 2m at Kempton last time, the latter's earlier efforts over longer trips at Huntingdon give him every chance in this company and he gets the nod. Gores Island unseated after being hampered at Newbury last month and can figure on January's third at Doncaster.
Fairy Rath (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Held up last, headway to modest 3rd 2 out, never involved, went 2nd post, 2nd of 5, 14l behind Rebel Rebellion (11-7) at Sandown 2m nov chs (3) hvy in Mar.
Gores Island (IRE) 15-2 (11-2) Held up in last pair, badly hampered and unseated rider 2nd, in a race won by Arctic Ben (11-8) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Mar, 8 ran.
Prince Buster (FR) 4-1 (10-4) Chased leader, mistakes 1st and next, lost 2nd 8th, dropped to 4th after next, 4th of 7, 11l behind Morgan's Bay (9-10) at Kempton 2m nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Mar.
Rajamand (FR) 7-1 (10-6) Raced wide, held up in 6th and off the pace, blundered badly 6th, not recover, tailed off, 5th of 7, 31l behind Morgan's Bay (9-10) at Kempton 2m nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Mar.
Southway Star 16-1 (10-10) Soon held up in last pair, headway approaching 11th, chased winner next, no chance from 14th, 2nd of 7, 35l behind Jackies Solitaire (11-1) at Warwick 2m 4f mrs nov chs (5yo+) (4) sft in Mar.
Venetian Lad 11-2 (10-13) In touch, went 3rd 4 out, stayed on to 2nd 3 out, kept on same pace flat, 2nd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Speedy Bruere (11-9) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Mar.
Five Rivers (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, went 2nd when hit 12th, led 2 out, held on, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Mar beating Croco Mister (9-9) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Risk (IRE) 20-1 (10-8) Led until narrowly headed 5th, pressed leader, led again 10th, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened before last, 6th of 14, 19l behind Twirling Magnet (11-3) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Mar.
Sherreb (IRE) 11-2 (11-8) In touch in 4th, blundered 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 10, 35l behind Newton Tonic (11-9) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Jan.
Shantou Breeze (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, went 3rd at 5th, fell 5 out, in a race won by Violin Davis (11-10) at Plumpton 2m 4f mrs nov chs (5yo+) (4) gs in Feb, 5 ran.
