led, ridden 3 out, headed approaching 2 out, soon one pace
in touch, chased leader 6th, ridden and every chance 2 out, kept on flat
in touch, ridden 4 out, kept on one pace from next
tracked leader until 4th, gradually lost place from next, reminders 7th, driven approaching 8th, blundered badly and down on knees when unseated rider 9th
in rear, ridden and headway 2 out, kept on towards finish, never a factor
held up towards rear, smooth headway from 4 out, ridden to lead 2 out, ran on strongly flat, comfortably
tracked leading pair, chased leader 4th until 6th, ridden 4 out, held when blundered 2 out
in touch, ridden and lost place 4 out, soon behind
CARRICKMINES was due to run at Plumpton yesterday but circumstances dictate that he goes here instead and he can get the better of Colonial Jim and Cresswell Ruby. It was an emphatic success for our selection at Chepstow last month when he easily beat Cesium. He does have a penalty for that success which will make life tough but he is proven on the ground and he sets the standard for the others. Colonial Jim is another that won't mind the ground and he hails from a yard in decent form. He put in an improved effort last time out but his jumping is far from fluent and he can't be backed with confidence. Cresswell Ruby was going well when unseating her rider at Ffos Las and although she has yet to win over the chase fences, if she can put in a clear round of jumping she would have a fairly obvious chance here. David Pipe sends Mayeul to post but this 9-year-old has had plenty of chances over fences without being able to take one and we are happy to give him the swerve. This looks a good opportunity for Carrickmines who gets the confidence vote.
Honour's Dream (FR) 50-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, mistake and ridden 10th, not fluent next, soon ridden, headway to chase leaders 17th, mistake and weakened next, 8th of 11, 34l behind Peut Etre Sivola (10-0) at Fontwell 3m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Nov.
Oncle Kid (FR) 33-1 (9-13) Chased leaders, tracked leader 8th, led 10th until soon after 12th, steadily weakened, 7th of 15, 18l behind Nikos Extra (11-4) at Folkestone 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Devil's Creek (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway 7th, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 14, 23l behind Far More Serious (11-12) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Nov.
Cresswell Ruby (IRE) 15-8fav (9-13) Led to 2nd, tracking leader when blundered 6th, unseated rider soon after, in a race won by Me Julie (9-12) at Ffos Las 2m 5f Mares Handicap Chase (0-115) (4yo+) (4) sft in Nov, 6 ran.
Mayeul (FR) 11-4fav (11-11) Held up, not fluent 4th, headway next, went 2nd 4 out until after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 9, 22l behind Mr Ironman (10-0) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Nov.
Carrickmines (IRE) 3-1 (10-11) Keen early, soon tracking leader, led after 4th, clear approaching last, easily, won at Chepstow 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) hvy in Nov beating Cesium (10-6) by 18l, 7 ran.
Colonial Jim (IRE) 3-1 (11-10) Led to 8th, with leader, led 10th, blundered 12th, not fluent and joined 2 out, headed last, stayed challenging, held towards finish, 2nd of 4, 1/2l behind Ayemdee (11-9) at Fontwell 2m 6f cnd hcp chs (0-95) (5) hvy in Nov.
Go Johnny Go (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Prominent, tracked leader 4th, pushed along approaching 14th, hit 4 out, weakened and not fluent 3 out, tailed off, last of 6, well behind Its A Classic (11-5) at Plumpton 3m 2f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) hvy in Nov.
