in touch, ridden to chase leading pair approaching 2 out, one pace approaching last
in touch, not fluent 3rd, mistake next, ridden after 6th, weakened approachig 2 out, tailed off
took keen hold, always prominent, led approaching 2 out, stayed on well flat
in touch, every chance at 2 out, one pace flat
mid-division, jumped right 2nd and 4th, mistake next, soon weakened, tailed off
led to 2nd, reluctant when jumped right 4th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 6th
mid-division, lost touch well before 2 out, tailed off
prominent, led 3rd until before 5th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
always behind, lost touch from 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
prominent, led 2nd to 3rd, led again before 5th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened quickly, tailed off
always in rear, struggling before 5th, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway after 5th, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, not fluent last
held up in rear, struggling after 4th, soon lost touch, tailed off
always towards rear, no chance 5th, tailed off
Top rated GOLD REEF can follow up a Boxing day success at Wincanton with victory here, but among the main rivals are expected to be joint top weights Pelican Point and Mewstone. It's going to be a slog in the mud, but that shouldn't be a problem for Alan King's only runner on the card, especially given there's no weight difference with her rivals. Mewstone was pulled up last time out, but that was over further, and she comes here as the only course and distance winner. Pelican Point landed a touch in beating an odds on shot last time out; as with Mewstone this is a step down in trip. Bathwick Quest has 6 pounds in hand and should be involved. Regularly placed, she's yet to follow up a victory in testing conditions last summer, although she's been placed in all four outings since. Lake Wakatipu is an interesting one, making her hurdling debut following a change to Richard Ford's yard. Any market support for her should be noted, but we'll be siding with Gold Reef.
Gold Reef 2-1fav (11-5) Mid-division, headway 3 out, led 2 out, easily, won at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Dec beating Gainsborough's Art (10-2) by 17l, 18 ran.
Mewstone 14-1 (11-2) Led to 2nd, chased leader, mistake 4th, led next to 3 out, weakened and pulled up 3 out in race won by Carole's Legacy (10-10) at Newbury 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (3) gs in Nov, 11 ran.
Pelican Point 12-1 (10-5) Tracked leader, led 4 out, ridden and driven clear approaching last, driven out, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Dec beating Brackenmoss (11-0) by 10l, 10 ran.
Bathwick Quest (IRE) 7-2 (10-10) Mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden and approached winner approaching 2 out, kept on, 3rd of 18, 12l behind Calusa Crystal (10-10) at Wincanton 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Cragg Vale Lady 200-1 (10-2) Held up mid-division, weakened from 5th, 12th of 13, well behind Grizebeck (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Double Brandy 100-1 (10-5) Chased leader until after 4th, ridden and weakened after 6th, mistake 3 out, tailed off when pulled up in race won by Parlesotho (11-5) at Hereford 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) sft, 16 ran.
Lake Wakatipu 50-1 (10-10) Always behind, 13th of 17, 28l behind Harry The Hawk (10-12) at Newcastle 1m 4f amt hcp (6) gs in Oct '07 (Flat).
Mythical Air (IRE) 25-1 (10-2) Held up towards rear, bumped 6th, struggling when mistake next, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Tagula Blue (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f sll hdl (5) gs in Oct, 14 ran.
Pasqualina Mia 100-1 (10-8) Always in rear, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Mealagh Valley (11-6) at Ludlow 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) gs in Jan '08, 15 ran.
Personal Flair 12-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened, 8th of 9, 34l behind Keltic Cliche (10-5) at Folkestone 2m 1f mrs nhf (6) sft in Dec.
Radical Gunner 100-1 (11-0) Held up, in rear when fell at the 7th in race won by Ceoperk (11-0) at Hereford 2m mrs beg chs (4) sft, 6 ran.
Silver Bank 10-1 (10-13) Held up in touch, weakened 5th, tailed off 3 out, 9th of 16, 48l behind Surprise Pension (11-6) at Catterick 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Steprow 66-1 (10-4) In touch and keen, weakened 8f out, 11th of 16, well behind Bella Haze (10-7) at Hereford 2m 1f mdn nhf (6) gd in Nov.
Great Future 250-1 (10-2) Held up mid-division, weakened approaching 3 out, 11th of 16, well behind West With The Wind (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3yo nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
