not fluent 1st, raced keenly, held up in rear in touch, headway and close up on outside when fell 3 out
held up in touch, chased leaders 3 out, one pace approaching next, soon ridden, stayed on to take 3rd towards finish, no impression
tracked winner throughout, effort approaching 3 out, ridden after next, kept on same pace, no impression from last
made all, ridden clear before last, stayed on well
held up in touch, driven to chase leaders 3 out, soon ridden, one pace when not fluent next, weakened last
tracked leading pair, effort on inside 3 out, kept on same pace, no impression before last, lost 3rd towards finish
A market check on Pinkneys Prince is required as the Nick Williams' inmate has had but a single outing since February 2013. Nevertheless, the booking of the in-form Richard Johnson for this return to action cannot help but suggest that there's confidence behind the topweight as he tackles fences for just the second time.Sam Twiston-Davies is an interesting booking for Un Anjou but a record of 1-26 over fences is somewhat off-putting. Dance Floor King made all to oblige with a degree of comfort at Towcester and could well be on the upgrade but does face significantly different ground conditions now. He's respected but the choice is MARTIN CASH. He scored on his first run for Paul Henderson at this track in March, since when he's performed creditably on all starts. He's far more experienced over fences than most of these and makes appeal off the bottom rung for his underrated yard.
Pinkneys Prince 14-1 (11-10) Towards rear, headway 5 out, led and not fluent 2 out, ridden before last, edged right and pressed run-in, just held on, won at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Oct '13 beating Foundation Man (11-12) by ns, 14 ran.
Un Anjou (FR) 6-5fav (11-5) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 2 out, led last, ridden flat, headed final 75 yards, 2nd of 4, 1 1/4l behind Morgan's Bay (11-0) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Oct.
Quite By Chance 5-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway after 10th, pressing for 2nd from 2 out until before last where not fluent, no extra flat, 4th of 8, 12l behind Cody Wyoming (10-9) at Stratford 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Oct.
Dance Floor King (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) Made all, clear from 2 out, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Towcester 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd beating Buddy Love (11-0) by 10l, 8 ran.
Jackthejourneyman (IRE) 28-1 (10-8) Held up in rear, not fluent and struggling 10th, 6th of 8, 32l behind Cody Wyoming (10-9) at Stratford 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Oct.
Martin Cash (IRE) 13-2 (10-2) Held up in rear, not fluent 8th or 9th, headway 11th, stayed on same pace from 2 out, 4th of 8, 9l behind Porters War (11-2) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf in Jul.
