soon well behind
towards rear, pushed along and outpaced 4 out, kept on one pace from 2 out
mid-division, struggling when hampered 3 out
prominent until ridden and weakened after 3 out
mid-division, headway 3 out, led 2 out, easily
prominent, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out
towards rear, never dangerous
towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden and no impression
mid-division, headway 4 out, fell next
behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, outpaced 3 out
towards rear, never dangerous
in touch, headway 3 out, soon ridden and effort, one pace after
prominent, weakening when hampered 3 out
towards rear, never dangerous
chased leaders, ridden 3 out, no extra from 2 out
led, headed 2 out, no chance with winner
Being unpenalised for his Bangor success, Naughty By Nature is an obvious starting point in a weak handicap but there are a number in here moving into handicap company for the first time whilst Posh Emily and GOLD REEF have already advertised their claims. In truth, Gold Reef has been somewhat disappointing over hurdles so far in the face of realistic opportunities but it may be worth persevering as her bumper form stacks up well and both of her outings over obstacles came at Towcester which wouldn't suit everyone. Naughty By Nature was having his first run since arriving from Ireland and ran on well enough to justify stable confidence at Bangor. He has an obvious chance but is another that will be priced accordingly. The market should tell us whether dramatic improvement is expected from the many unexposed runners but Posh Emily should benefit from reverting to the minimum. She is only modest but battled on gamely to win a Taunton seller before failing to see out two and a half miles at Exeter. It may pay to bide your time before getting involved here but Gold Reef appeals as being one of the likelier contenders for the podium.
Optimus (USA) 50-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, chased leader from 5th until weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 12, well behind Enfant De Lune (10-12) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) sft.
Novarra (IRE) 15-2 (10-5) In touch, mid-division, headway approaching 5th, went 2nd 3 out, led 2 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on under pressure flat, won at Ludlow 2m cnd sll hdl (4) gs in Nov beating Mulaazem (10-12) by 1l, 16 ran.
The Composer 12-1 (11-1) Mid-division, mistake 6th, headway 3 out, ridden and every chance approaching last, no extra, 7th of 13, 7l behind Equilibria (11-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
Cove Mountain (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Mid-division, weakened from 3 out, 13th of 15, well behind Ruby Crown (10-0) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) hvy.
Gold Reef 6-4fav (10-10) In touch, ridden and every chance approaching 2 out, weakened soon after, blundered last, 4th of 13, 15l behind Silver Spinner (10-7) at Towcester 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Wujood 9-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, lost place after 3rd, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Picky (11-5) at Towcester 2m amt hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Oct, 18 ran.
Sweet World 40-1 (11-4) Held up last, headway 5th, led 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 11, 15l behind Wise Men Say (10-7) at Wincanton 2m cnd nov hcp hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Kilmeena Magic 14-1 (10-9) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, ridden after next, bumped approaching last, led flat, driven out, won at Kempton 2m cnd nov hcp hdl (4) gd in Nov beating Doctor Robert (10-6) by a nk, 18 ran.
Naughty By Nature 10-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, lost place approaching 3rd, headway on long run approaching 2 out, led last, stayed on well, won at Bangor 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft beating Doctor Robert (10-11) by 3l, 13 ran.
Barodine 25-1 (11-4) Hung right from 5th, always towards rear, 12th of 18, 20l behind Kilmeena Magic (10-9) at Kempton 2m cnd nov hcp hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Posh Emily 9-1 (11-1) In touch, ridden after 6th, every chance 3 out, kept on same pace from next, 4th of 8, 17l behind Mistress To No One (11-5) at Exeter 2m 3f cnd nov hcp hdl (4) sft.
Machhapuchhare 50-1 (10-12) Always behind, 8th of 13, well behind Shalone (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Spirit of Lake (IRE) 200-1 (11-0) Led, headed after 7th, soon weakened, 9th of 15, well behind The Gossmoor Yank (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs in Nov.
Levantine (IRE) 33-1 (10-8) Towards rear, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 11, 19l behind Wise Men Say (10-7) at Wincanton 2m cnd nov hcp hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Bundle Up 8-1 (10-5) Prominent, pushed along after 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 16, 27l behind Novarra (10-5) at Ludlow 2m cnd sll hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Where Now Madame 250-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, raced keenly, not fluent 3rd, always behind, 14th of 16, well behind Bakbenscher (10-12) at Stratford 2m nh nov hdl (3) gd in Oct.
Olimpo (FR) 15-2 (10-5) Held up in touch, every chance 3 out, outpaced from next, 6th of 15, 17l behind Ruby Crown (10-0) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) hvy.
Gainsborough's Art (IRE) 50-1 (10-4) Pulled hard, headway to chase leader 3rd, led and hit 3 out, hung right headed approaching 2 out, 5th and weakening when brought down at the last in race won by Kadouchski (11-8) at Leicester 2m sll hdl (5) gd in Nov, 10 ran.
