held up last, headway after 4 out, went 4th 3 out, one pace
chased leader, led approaching 5th, ridden after 4 out, kept on gamely from last
mid-division, mistake 5th, weakened 9th, pulled up after
prominent, mistake 8th, 4th when blundered 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
led to approaching 5th, ridden 4 out, mistake 3 out, blundered 2 out, kept on same pace
prominent, ridden and outpaced approaching 4 out, stayed on to go 3rd 2 out
mid-division, ridden after 9th, stayed on one pace
mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, going well when chased leader approaching 3 out, ridden and ran on from 2 out, not reached winner flat
held up, ridden 7th, never on terms
ridden and chased leader 4 out, weakened approaching last
Amble Forge looks high enough in the weights now and so we will give the most tentative of votes to LAUNDE. The selection is now ten years of age, and perhaps worryingly for backers his last win was in November 2006 when trained by Ben Pollock. That was off a mark of 127, and now racing off 115 he looks well-handicapped, the drop in trip will suit, and backers should get a good run for their money. Ouste fell last time when well-fancied for a Sedgefield contest and had previously been holding his form well, whilst a Chepstow race won by Aheadofhistime earlier this month links several of these runners. Roofing Spirit holds Amble Forge and Waterspray on that clash but there wasn't much between them there and there may not be once again. Nesnaas may have been freshened up for a mini winter break, Craven now tries the cheek-pieces, whilst Space Star ran a much better race when fourth to Silver Adonis at Fontwell and a reproduction of that would see him go close. This looks a decent opportunity for Launde to rediscover the winning touch.
Ouste (FR) 11-2 (11-5) Mid-division, headway 8th, 5th and onepaced when fell last, in a race won by Ingratitude (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m beg chase (4) gf, 12 ran.
Launde (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Chased leader, led 4th, mistake and headed 13th, soon weakened, 5th of 9, 29l behind Fire And Rain (10-6) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Mar.
Amble Forge (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Held up, headway 5 out, led 3 out, headed flat, 4th of 10, 3l behind Aheadofhistime (10-6) at Chepstow 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Roofing Spirit (IRE) 17-2 (11-8) Tracked leaders, one pace flat, 3rd of 10, 2 3/4l behind Aheadofhistime (10-6) at Chepstow 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Waterspray (AUS) 10-1 (11-9) Led, headed after 1st, every chance 3 out, mistake 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 10, 17l behind Aheadofhistime (10-6) at Chepstow 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Space Star 14-1 (11-1) In touch, headway 9th, ridden 2 out, not troubled leaders, 4th of 7, 11l behind Silver Adonis (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Mar.
Nesnaas (USA) 9-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, never near leaders, 6th of 15, 23l behind Young Tot (11-7) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Oct.
Mibleu (FR) 16-1 (10-4) Prominent, pushed along 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, 9th of 11, well behind Cheating Chance (11-2) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf in Oct.
Craven (IRE) 15-2 (10-6) Held up, ridden 12th, never troubled leaders, 7th of 12, well behind Leopold (10-11) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd.
Cellarmaster (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) Soon struggling in rear, tailed off 7th, pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Glengarra (11-7) at Plumpton 2m 1f sell hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd, 9 ran.
