in rear, reminders after 4th, some headway 15th, no impression, tailed off
chased leaders to 3 out
mid-division, lost place 6th, behind 12th, hit 14th, pulled up before 17th
mid-division, headway 7th, challenged 3 out, led 2 out, stayed on well
led to 1st, chased leaders, jumped slowly 14th, soon beaten
always towards rear, struggling 13th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
prominent, led 3rd to 5th, dropped rear 9th, behind when pulled up before 17th
in rear, hit 1st, headway 11th, struggling 17th, weakened approaching 3 out
led 1st until 3rd, led 5th until ridden 3 out, weakened approaching last
always handy, went 2nd 8th, led 3 out, headed 2 out, no imprerssion flat
There was plenty to like about the way MOCHO won at Chepstow last time, and we will take him to follow up, while Nagam and Any Currency are likely dangers. The Ian Williams-trained selection landed a 2m 4f novices' handicap chase in fine style on his second run back after a lengthy lay-off. The handicapper has put him up 12lbs for that success, but over this longer trip he has every chance of being able to defy him. He has already proved himself over approximately three miles and acts on good ground, and we will take him to make the necessary improvement. Nagam returned after a summer break to score at the first time of asking around Kempton last month, and trip and ground suit. Raised 6lbs for that success, he will again be very competitive, this time under A P McCoy. Any Currency has not won yet for Martin Keighley, but the yard's runners are going very well, and he put up a decent enough effort behind Pride Of Dulcote at Worcester last month, so is not dismissed lightly. Presentandcorrect is finding it tough to win from this mark, and the handicapper also appears to have the measure of both Rustarix and Runshan, so the suggestion here is the unexposed Mocho.
Temoin 16-1 (11-1) Mid-division, mistake 6th, dropped rear when badly hampered 8th, soon well behind, tailed off when pulled up before 12th, in a race won by Aleron (11-0) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in May, 12 ran.
Rustarix (FR) 15-2 (11-9) Held up on outside, outpaced approaching 4 out, kept on under pressure from next, no impression, 3rd of 7, 17l behind Auroras Encore (11-8) at Ayr 3m 1f nov chs (2) gd in Apr.
Strong Coffee 33-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, weakening when blundered 13th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Ellerslie George (10-10) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Sep, 10 ran.
Any Currency (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Led 1st until approaching 3rd, chased winner until relegated to 3rd after 5th, hit 14th, given reminder, went 2nd again before 4 out, not fluent 3 out, no chance from 2 out, 2nd of 3, 6l behind Pride Of Dulcote (11-0) at Worcester 2m 7f nov stks (3) gs in Oct.
Nagam (FR) 11-4 (11-8) Tracked leader, led 5th, ridden 3 out, stayed on strongly, won at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Oct beating Ibberton (11-3) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Presentandcorrect (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) With leader, slight lead 3rd, lost footing on landing 2 out and soon headed, rallied last, no impression flat, 3rd of 4, 8l behind Kangaroo Court (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 4f noc chs (3) gf in Oct.
Bubble Boy (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) With leader, led 4th to 11th, weakened 17th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Super Judge (9-13) at Ludlow 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in May '08, 7 ran.
Mocho (IRE) 11-2 (10-9) Tracked leading pair, joined leader 5th, led approaching 6th, clear from 10th, well in command approaching 2 out, stayed on well (no official time taken), won at Chepstow 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Oct beating Sula's Legend (11-6) by 7l, 7 ran.
Runshan (IRE) 8-1 (9-8) Pressed leader, led 3rd, headed and not fluent 3 out, stayed challenging, hung left after last, no extra final 100 yards, 3rd of 17, 5l behind Mister Apple's (11-3) at Cheltenham 3m am hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf in Oct.
River Indus 20-1 (10-1) Chased leaders, stumbled 9th, mistakes 11th, 12th and 13th, beaten 3 out, 5th of 17, 14l behind Mister Apple's (11-3) at Cheltenham 3m am hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf in Oct.
Snakebite (IRE) 11-4fav (10-4) Chased leader until after 2 out, weakened after last, 5th of 9, 28l behind The Outlier (10-3) at Haydock 3m hcp chs Grd 2 (1) hvy in Jan '07.
