tracked leaders, outpaced after 3 out, weakened and pulled up before next
led, headed 4, ridden 3 out, rallied to challenge next, kept on, just held
tracked leader, mistake 3rd, led 4th, hard pressed from 2 out, soon ridden, held on under pressure flat
tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced approaching 2 out, beaten when mistake last
took keen early, held up, reminders after 3rd, tailed off when blundered 3 out, soon pulled up
held up, ridden and lost touch after 3rd, pulled up before next
Shrewd Investor is fancied to maintain his progress, while Jack The Blaster and Major Oak are expected to push the selection all the way to the line. The last named gained some just reward when landing a Novices' hurdle at Market Rasen on Boxing Day - comfortably pulling clear of the well regarded Camden George. This doesn't look much tougher and the son of Deploy has to be a leading contender at this level. Jack The Blaster, who has a proven liking for heavy ground, appeared to have very few excuses at Ascot last time and comes here with a little to prove. Still, he had previously looked progressive and, as the cliche goes 'one bad run does not make a bad horse'. Even so, Shrewd Investor - an ex-Irish pointer - has really caught the eye in both his starts under rules and, it is the willing attitude he showed at Bangor last month that helps swing the vote in his favour. Harry Hogarth's charge has bags of scope for improvement and he should be kept on the right side for the time being.
Jack The Blaster 9-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakening when mistake 4 out, 11th of 14, well behind Ringaroses (11-6) at Ascot 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Major Oak (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Chased leader, led 7th, kept on well from last, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec beating Camden George (10-5) by 5l, 11 ran.
Shrewd Investor (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Led, headed 5th, lead again after 7th, ridden and under pressure 2 out, driven out, won at Bangor 3m mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec beating Secret Ploy (10-9) by a hd, 12 ran.
Double Eagle 9-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, hit 6th and 8th, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 12, 16l behind Shrewd Investor (10-12) at Bangor 3m mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Toy Gun (IRE) 18-1 (10-12) With leader, every chance 3 out, ridden and weakened next, 7th of 9, 41l behind Silver Snitch (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
School Class 80-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, reminders and lost place after 4th, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Dandygrey Russett (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f mrs mdn hdl (5) sft in Dec, 11 ran.
