with leaders, ridden when hit 4 out and 3 out, weakened
prominent, ridden and weakened after 4 out
held up, driven 5th, detached from next, fell 10th
prominent, chased winner from 3 out, no impression from 2 out
made all, jumped right 6th, mistake 4 out, clear 2 out
Running Hot is a regular over this course and distance whilst four of The Hardy Boy's five career wins (including last year's renewal) have come at this venue but they may have to settle for minor roles behind Randolph O'Brien. He did disappoint at Chepstow last time but may have been feeling the effects of a busy period and should have been freshened up by his subsequent break. It's hard to argue that he's well handicapped but he should be able to win from this mark and is open to improvement after just nine starts over fences. Running Hot should be competitive but has only got his head in front once in his career and The Hardy Boy appeals as a bigger danger to the selection. He has plenty in his favour but would need a career best to defy his current mark and Randolph O'Brien is taken to hold sway.
Randolph O'Brien (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Towards rear, steady headway 9th, ridden 12th, weakened 4 out, 8th of 11, 36l behind Master d'Or (11-5) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
The Hardy Boy 7-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway 11th, ridden next, weakened 2 out, 5th of 10, 10l behind Magot De Grugy (11-8) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Dec.
Mohawk Star (IRE) 10-1 (11-6) Always in the rear, hampered 6th, 9th of 14, well behind Marked Man (10-11) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Oct.
Papillon de Iena (FR) 8-1 (10-12) Chased leader, ridden approaching 3 out, led 2 out, headed towards finish, 3rd of 12, 3/4l behind Littlemissdynamite (9-12) at Uttoxeter 2m sll hdl (5) sft in Dec.
Running Hot 10-1 (11-0) Led, hit 5th, headed 11th, ridden 3 out, one pace, 2nd of 11, 9l behind Sou'wester (11-2) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft in Dec.
