held up towards rear, pulled hard, bumped 1st, no chance approaching 3 out
jumped right 1st, always in rear
mid-division, headway after 3 out, hit last, ran on well to lead close home
led to 6th, every chance 3 out, weakened 2 out
mid-division, headway 8th, led approaching last, headed close home
took keen hold, tracked leader until after 5th, every chance when mistake 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
always behind, tailed off
soon mid-division, headway approaching 6th, weakened before 2 out
in touch, hanging right approaching 6th, led 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, weakened before last
held up in rear, headway 7th, weakened after 3 out
in touch, reminder after 5th, weakened 3 out
in touch, led 6th to 7th, challenge 3 out, led approaching 2 out, headed before last, no extra flat
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Gary Moore is back among the winners and he may have found a good opportunity for SOLE AGENT to score in this big-field handicap chase, while Kack Handed and Like A Duke look dangers. The selection races from just 3lbs higher than his best winning mark, but has a useful amateur claiming 7lbs up to help negate that. The minimum trip is ideal for him and he relishes soft ground, so he looks worth chancing at a working man's price. Kack Handed has made the frame on five of his last six starts, being beaten in novices' hurdles when rated the same as today's 117 on his last two runs. He acts on soft ground, although it is a matter of debate as to whether it is his preferred surface, and he makes his chasing debut today on what could turn out to be a handy mark. However, he has it to prove. Russian Flag's sole success from 25 starts came with cut in the ground at Plumpton. He is likely to go well after a nice pipe-opener, but will probably find a couple too good. Course and distance scorer Arumun is back on a very competitive mark and goes well on the ground, so can't be ignored, while Red Jester has also won around here, but still looks high enough in the weights and would prefer better ground. If Timmy Vaughan has Brave Villa fit and well, then he would have to have strong claims here now he is 5lbs lower than his last win and relishes the mud. This is his first start for the trainer and he could go very close if right again, but we will just side with Sole Agent.
Like A Duke (FR) 16-1 (11-12) Took keen hold, held up in rear, steady headway from 11th, tracked leaders going well 4 out, hit 3 out, led going well 2 out, in command when hit last, eased near finish, won at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Nov beating Red Jester (11-3) by 9l, 10 ran.
Forty Five (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, 7th and pushed along and no chance when blundered badly 3 out and soon eased, 7th of 12, 37l behind Pavillon Bleu (10-8) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Russian Flag (FR) 9-1 (11-2) In touch, headway into 3rd 3 out, chased winner 2 out, ridden and one pace before last, 2nd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Nomecheki (11-6) at Plumpton 2m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) hvy in Nov.
Kack Handed 15-8 (10-12) Raced freely, led, joined 2 out, soon driven, headed last, not quicken, 2nd of 7, 2 3/4l behind Bruslini (10-12) at Haydock 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Amble Forge (IRE) 7-2fav (11-6) Mistake 1st, held up, driven along 6th, no chance from 8th, well behind when mistake last, 6th of 10, 22l behind Nomecheki (11-6) at Plumpton 2m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) hvy in Nov.
Pret A Thou (FR) 25-1 (11-2) Took keen hold, led to 11th, weakened 4 out, tailed off, 6th of 13, well behind Buffalo Bob (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Nov.
Brave Villa (FR) 16-1 (11-12) Led 2nd, clear 4th, ridden after next, headed 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Fix The Rib (11-6) at Kempton 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Jan, 7 ran.
Its Crucial (IRE) 15-2 (11-10) Tracked leaders, hampered 5 out, soon under pressure and weakened, 6th of 11, 31l behind Master Somerville (11-5) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Baseball Ted (IRE) 7-4fav (11-11) Led until pulled up and dismounted soon after 5th, in a race won by Only Dreams (10-9) at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov, 5 ran.
Josear 33-1 (10-9) Led, strongly pressesd but kept narrow advantage from 4 out, headed 2 out, soon lost 2nd and weakened before last, 3rd of 12, 15l behind Pavillon Bleu (10-8) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Only Dreams (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Took keen hold early, last pair, went 2nd at 6th, led before next, going strongly approaching 3 out, 4 lengths clear last, idled flat, held on, won at Wincanton 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov beating Sagalyrique (11-12) by nk, 5 ran.
Tempting Paradise (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) In touch, chasing group, reminders 7th, outpaced 3 out, headway under pressure next, stayed on to go 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Red Jester (11-3) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Nov.
Magnetic Pole 2-1fav (10-12) Jumped well, led to 2nd, with leader, led 10th, came clear from 2 out easily, won at Leicester 2m 4f stks (5) gf in Nov beating Roussea (10-12) by 8l, 7 ran.
Sole Agent (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, went 2nd before 8th, led 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened soon after, 7th of 10, 24l behind Nomecheki (11-6) at Plumpton 2m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) hvy in Nov.
Arumun (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Led to 5th, tracked leaders, ridden after 8th, kept on from 2 out, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Lease Lend (11-12) at Newcastle 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Red Jester 9-2 (11-3) Chased leaders, led 12th, ridden and headed 2 out, no chance with winner from last, 2nd of 10, 9l behind Like A Duke (11-12) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Nov.
