led to 2nd, ridden 7th, weakened approaching 3 out
held up, mistake 3rd, last when hampered 4th, hit 7th, hung left from 3 out, no headway
held up, mistake 4th, headway approaching 7th, led last, stayed on
chased leaders, went 2nd 5th, ridden approaching 7th, weakened after 3 out, soon eased, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leader from 1st, led 2nd, clear 3rd, mistake 4th, reduced advantage 7th, headed last, soon beaten
held up, fell 4th
held up, headway approaching 7th, weakened 2 out
held up, ridden after 7th, stayed on approaching 2 out, mistake last, went 3rd near finish, never near front 2
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Waterspray, Fu Manchu and Gentle John are three against the field in a competitive handicap chase and the vote is given to Gentle John. The selection won well last time out when beating El Bandindos. He goes well fresh and off what remains a handy mark he looks the one to be on. Waterspray rates the main danger as he beat Dalraith with a little in hand last time out but he has a penalty for that win and that may just find him out. Fu Manchu is another that could go well on his latest third behind Airqusta but he usually needs a couple of runs before he hits top form and he looks opposable on that basis. Brave Villa improved out of all recognition last season and is another with place claims but his best form is with more cut in the ground. Of the remainder Billyandi is from an in form yard and could go well at a price off what looks a handy mark, but for the winner we return to the unexposed Gentle John.
Waterspray (AUS) 4-1 (11-3) Made all, driven clear 2 out, ran on strongly, won at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Sept beating Dalriath (10-1) by 3l, 8 ran.
Fu Manchu 4-5fav (11-12) Held up in rear, headway to chase leaders 7th, ridden and hung left approaching 2 out, one pace and no impression, 3rd of 5, 6l behind Airgusta (11-5) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Aug '06.
Brave Villa (FR) 15-8fav (11-2) Made all, hard pressed from 4 out, 2 lengths clear last, all out, won at Taunton 2m nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Feb beating Sarin (11-9) by a nk, 8 ran.
Billyandi (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Chased leaders until 7th, 6th of 12, well behind Turgeonev (11-12) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Apr.
Gentle John (FR) 7-1 (11-3) Tracked leader and keen, led after 4th, stumbled last, ridden out, won at Chepstow 2m nh mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr beating El Bandindos (11-3) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.
Chef Tartare (FR) 16-1 (11-6) Held up, headway 5th, mistake 8th, ridden when bumped 10th, soon weakened and pulled up 4 out in race won by Millards Lad (11-8) at N Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Aug, 8 ran.
Glimmer of Light (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, pushed along 7th, weakened next and pulled up at the 9th in race won by Honest Endeavour (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (3) gf in Apr, 8 ran.
South Sands (IRE) 11-4 (10-1) Held up, not fluent 4th, headway approaching 7th, weakened before 3 out, tailed off when pulled up in race won by Ouh Jay (10-10) at Hereford 2m 4f mrs hcp hdl (4) gf in Jun, 10 ran.
Marfinca (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Always behind, lost touch from 3 out, 8th of 9, 19l behind Grecian Groom (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gf.
Country Escape 12-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, ridden 7th, soon struggling, 16th of 17, well behind Pigeon Island (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Sept.
Jefertiti (FR) 12-1 (10-4) Mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, soon one pace, 5th of 11, 15l behind Donovan (10-1) at Perth 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Sept.
Kova Hall (IRE) (11-9) won at Erbach 2m 1f chs sft in Jul beating Ascot Tower (10-5) by 21l, 2 ran.
