prominent, led after 7th, headed 12th, weakened after 3 out
held up, hampered 2nd, steady headway going well from 11th, shaken up when not much room on bend after 3 out, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
led, headed 6th, remained prominent, led again 12th, blundered and headed 4 out, ran slightly wide on bend after 3 out, chased winner from 2 out, stayed on same place flat
held up, headway approaching 10th, chased winner approaching 3 out until 2 out, no extra last
fell 2nd
prominent, losing place when mistake 12th, no impression after
held up, headway on inside 7th, not fluent next, pushed along after 9th, weakened 12th, blundered 2 out, pulled up before last
prominent, led 6th until after next, ridden approaching 10th, blundered 12th, soon weakened
brought down 2nd
Neither Joyryder nor Can't Buy Time have jumped a fence in public but both are of interest here as are last time out fallers First De La Brunie and Barrys Ark. Ronald Jack, Jolejoker and Sternenzelt are more exposed but not dismissed but it would be no great surprise to see Joyryder and Can't Buy Time improve for jumping a fence. Joyryder is reported not to want the ground too soft so may be best watched here but the latter should have no problem with the ground and has been crying out for this step up in trip. First De La Brunie was in the process of running a big race on his return from a lengthy absence; he hasn't got many miles on the clock and should go well if that fall hasn't left its mark. Similar comments apply to Barrys Ark who reappeared in a decent novice chase at Exeter. He drops back in trip today but that shouldn't be a problem in these conditions, he looks to be on a decent mark for his handicap debut and Barrys Ark is taken to add to Jim Old's decent course record.
Ronald Jack (FR) 5-2jt-fav (10-7) Tracked leader, led before 6th, headed next, not fluent 8th, rallied next, soon every chance, no extra flat, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Kitty Wong (10-2) at Market Rasen 2m 2f nov chs (4) sft in Dec.
Great Character (IRE) 3-1fav (10-6) Held up behind, headway 4 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 9, 14l behind Tamango (11-8) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Jul.
Joyryder 7-2 (10-12) Led, hit 9th, ridden 2 out, headed last, stayed on flat, held final 75 yards, 2nd of 18, 3/4l behind Rood Report (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Can't Buy Time (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) Held up, headway after 4 out, one pace, 5th of 14, 10l behind Hinton Thunderbolt (10-2) at Towcester 2m nh nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
First De La Brunie (FR) 16-1 (10-13) Held up in touch, headway when fell 3 out in race won by Macmar (11-3) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft, 13 ran.
Barrys Ark (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Chased leader, close up going well when fell 4 out in race won by Portland Bill (11-0) at Exeter 2m 7f beg chs (4) gs in Dec, 10 ran.
Sternenzelt (GER) 25-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 9, 28l behind King Louis (11-3) at Ascot 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Dec.
Wenger (FR) 9-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, outpaced 11th, rallied 3 out, no impression, 3rd of 6, 13l behind Noble Bily (10-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Jolejoker 8-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, headway under pressure 13th, one pace flat, 3rd of 15, 3l behind Kathleens Pride (10-9) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Olival (FR) 7-2fav (10-10) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened last, 5th of 10, 9l behind Colliers Court (11-1) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Jul.
Clyffe Hanger (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, ridden after 17th, soon beaten, 3rd of 6, 31l behind Maori Legend (10-5) at Wincanton 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft.
