held up, mistake 6th, headway 13th, led 3 out, blundered 2 out, ridden out
in touch, led approaching 11th to 13th, weakened after 3 out
led to 4th, led again 7th to approaching 11th, hit 12th, weakened 3 out
keen, chased leaders, ridden after 13th, soon weakened
in touch, led 13th to 3 out, soon ridden, every chance last, not quicken
with leader, led 4th to 7th, hit 12th, soon weakened
Nonrunner
Smeathe's Ridge lines up on the back of a recent win and can add to his tally at the expense of Nice Try and Woodenbridge Dream. Trainer Jim Old was pleasantly surprised when Smeathe's Ridge made a winning start to his career over fences at Folkestone nine days ago as he thought that the nine-year-old was not ready. However, Mark Bradburne had put plenty of work into the gelding on the home gallops, and was rewarded with an honest victory. The pair now line up with a seven-pound penalty but should be up to the task with little to beat here. Nice Try looks the main danger, but the Venetia Williams inmate has to shoulder topweight and has yet to win this season, while Woodenbridge Dream has been pretty consistent in defeat, but that is the problem, as he always seems to find one or two too good. With that in mind we have to nominate the improving Smeathe's Ridge as the selection.
Nice Try (IRE) 11-4 (10-12) Tracked leading trio, went 3rd 7th, ridden and weakened between last 2, 3rd of 6, 19l behind Magnifico (11-5) at Folkestone 2m 6f nov hdl (4) hvy.
Jour de Mee (FR) 10-1 (11-0) Always in rear, 4th of 14, well behind Graceful Dancer (10-11) at Towcester 3m chs 0-90 (F) gs in Dec.
Galapiat du Mesnil (FR) 20-1 (11-7) Chased leaders in 3rd until jumped left 7th, lost place next, tailed off, 5th of 11, well behind Smeathe's Ridge (10-11) at Folkestone 2m 5f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft.
Our Jolly Swagman 20-1 (10-2) Always behind, ridden approaching 10th, struggling after 13th pulled up 5 out in race won by Presenting Express (11-6) at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft, 10 ran.
Smeathe's Ridge 9-2fav (10-11) In touch, headway 3 out, led and left 2 lengths clear last, driven out, won at Folkestone 2m 5f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft beating Malko De Beaumont (11-12) by 3 1/2l, 11 ran.
Look To The Future (IRE) 20-1 (9-13) Prominent until approaching 10th, behind when hampered 11th, tailed off when fell at the last in race won by Lost In Normandy (10-0) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (E) hvy in Dec, 12 ran.
Woodenbridge Dream (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Led, joined after 6th, headed 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 14, 6l behind Lubinas (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs.
