tracked leaders, led 3rd, headed 10th, one pace from 3 out
led to 3rd, led again 10th, ridden and headed 3 out, rallied when mistake last, no extra run-in
chased leaders, weakened from 8th, pulled up before 11th
held up in touch, lost place after 7th, pulled up before 9th
in touch, outpaced 11th, rallied to lead 3 out, driven out
chased leaders, pushed along after 7th, struggling from next, tailed off when pulled up before 12th
held up in rear, headway after 7th, weakened from 11th
held up, reminders after 5th, weakened from 8th, pulled up before 11th
Nonrunner
Corrib Lad is narrowly preferred to Isellido in the opener. Lenny Lungo's representative was a little disappointing over course-and-distance but he ran in snatches on that day and his overall profile is much better than the bare form suggests. Isellido has been in good form of late and dotted up in a Mares' only race. She is reputedly aiming for Cheltenham so a bold show on this occasion can book her ticket. Jimmy Bond has had leg trouble in the past. Micky Hammond has had the kid gloves treatment for this one and although unproven on anything other than soft ground - he has to be a player. Jerom De Vindecy put up his first piece of form in this country when chasing home Oliverjohn at Wetherby. He briefly threatened to shock the short price punters on that day and as he was 3lb out of the handicap on that occasion, he is watched in the market on this. Bold Investor has obvious claims on his earlier form although his trainers' form has left a bit to be desired. Silver Jack ran as if something were amiss last time out and is given a watching brief. Corrib Lad has questions to answer but we are prepared to give him another chance.
Isellido (IRE) 7-2co-fav (11-8) Led after 2nd, made rest, stayed on strongly from 2 out, won at Kelso 2m 6f mrs nov chs (4) gs in Jan beating Cool Dessa Blues (10-13) by 13l, 8 ran.
Silver Jack (IRE) 9-4 (11-12) Held up mid-division, mistake 7th pulled up at the 12th in race won by Fountain Brig (10-0) at Ayr 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) sft in Dec, 13 ran.
Kharak (FR) 13-2 (11-7) Chased leaders, mistake 10th and 11th, weakened after next, 4th of 8, 23l behind Brandy Wine (11-0) at Ayr 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Jan.
Jimmy Bond 5-2 (10-3) Tracked leaders, outpaced from 5th, 5th of 6, 15l behind Vigoureux (10-7) at Wetherby 2m nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Jan.
Fountain Brig 10-1 (10-5) Held up, pushed along after 6th, headway 9th, chased winner approaching last, kept on under pressure flat, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Green Ideal (11-9) at Ayr 2m 4f cnd hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.
Jerom de Vindecy (FR) 17-2 (9-9) Tracked leaders, lost place 7th, ridden approaching 4 out, kept on, 2nd of 5, 4l behind Oliverjohn (11-0) at Wetherby 2m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.
Corrib Lad (IRE) 7-4fav (11-9) Towards rear, headway approaching 7th, ridden next, one pace and no impression from 2 out, 3rd of 7, 7l behind Green Ideal (11-9) at Ayr 2m 4f cnd hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.
Lost In Normandy (IRE) 15-2 (10-2) Held up, driven along 9th, ridden approaching 4 out, led 3 out, clear last, eased towards finish, headed close home, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Sound Of Cheers (11-9) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan.
