held up, headway to go 2nd 6th, ridden after 12th, led approaching 2 out, jinked right after last, driven out
led, jumped right, hung right on bend and headed approaching 2 out, mistake last, weakened flat
soon well behind, tailed off from 7th
held up but in touch, moved closer 8th, weakening when mistake 11th
chased leader until 6th, weakened 8th, tailed off and pulled up before 10th
chased leaders, pushed along approaching 10th, 3rd when blundered 2 out, went 2nd just after last, challenged flat, no extra near finish
soon well behind, tailed off 7th, pulled up before last
soon well behind, blundered badly 10th, pulled up before 11th
Sobers, Pauillac and Good Company are the three with the most realistic claims although Stolen Moment cannot be confidently dismissed. Sobers is selected. Nick Gifford's runner kept on well to win over an extended two miles at Chepstow where he benefited from the fall of French Saulaie. He was far from foot perfect that day but he had fallen on his chase debut so can be forgiven that at present. This longer trip will suit and he remains a horse of some promise. Pauillac is very well regarded and it was a shade disappointing that he didn't finish closer last time. However, he looked very much in need of a stiffer test so this longer trip could well bring about an improved performance and he must be feared having won readily at Lingfield on debut. Good Company had been off the track for nigh on a year prior to making his chase bow at Exeter. He's an interesting prospect who's entitled to improve for both the run and the experience but will need to in order to get the better of the selection, Sobers.
Sobers (IRE) 15-8 (11-0) Held up, headway 2nd, hit 4th, mistake next, reminder after 6th, led 8th, driven and stayed on well flat, won at Chepstow 2m beg chs (4) hvy beating Oscar D'angron (11-0) by 4l, 6 ran.
Pauillac (FR) 2-1 (11-1) Held up, mistake 2nd, lost place 6th, effort 9th, soon no impression, 4th of 8, 15l behind Kruguyrova (10-2) at Plumpton 2m 1f nov chs (3) sft in Dec.
Farmer Brent (IRE) 66-1 (10-9) Held up, mistake and hampered 2nd, behind, mistake 7th, soon weakened, tailed off, 3rd of 5, well behind Kruguyrova (10-7) at Plumpton 2m 1f nov chs (3) sft.
Good Company (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, mistake 4th, effort approaching 3 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 6, 12l behind Oslot (11-0) at Exeter 2m 3f beg chs (4) sft.
Off Spin 33-1 (11-0) Held up, ridden after 6th, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Sobers (11-0) at Chepstow 2m beg chs (4) hvy, 6 ran.
Stolen Moments (FR) 7-1 (11-6) Towards rear, headway 7th to chase leaders, ridden 2 out and soon beaten, 3rd of 11, 10l behind The Very Man (11-6) at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft.
Tooka 40-1 (10-10) Led, ridden and headed before 4 out, soon weakened, 12th of 14, well behind Deep Reflection (10-10) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Dec.
Tuesday Club (IRE) 18-1 (10-12) Prominent, led 3rd until after 5th, jumped slowly and lost place next, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Sporting Rebel (11-7) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy, 15 ran.
