never going well in rear, mistake 3rd, hit 6th, soon tailed off
hit 1st, held up in 4th, steady headway to chase leader 7th until 4 out, went 2nd again 2 out, no impression
chased leader to 7th, weakened 4 out
led at good pace, hard pressed, narrowly headed soon after 3 out, soon no chance of winner, lost 2nd next
held up in 5th, headway from 8th, good jump to go 2nd 4 out, led soon after 3 out, soon in command, hit last, comfortably
chased leader until mistake, weakened 9th, soon well behind
Just A Touch can again have the measure of Jupon Vert, with He's The Gaffer and Matthew Muroto needing to improve to have a chance. Peter Winkworth continues in good form, having had six winners this year, including Just A touch who earned his keep for the stable yet again when beating Jupon Vert at Huntingdon last month. The 10-year-old returned from a year's absence that day, but was as fresh as a daisy as he picked off his front-running rival in the straight to win going away by seven lengths. The latter is now half-a-stone better off and has the assistance of Tony McCoy, but in the main the Ron Hodges inmate does have a tendency to find one too good, and the selection will have come on for his return as well so is good for another few pounds rise in the weights surely. He's The Gaffer had his task made easier at Taunton when Terrible Tenant fell at the last, although to be fair he had that one's measure at the time. Bob Buckler's charge has more to do here though, as does Matthew Muroto who was gifted third place in that Taunton contest. Just A Touch has topweight but can prove up to the task.
Just A Touch 12-1 (11-3) In touch, chased leaders approaching 2 out, ridden to lead last, ran on, won at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Jan beating Jupon Vert (11-1) by 7l, 8 ran.
Matthew Muroto (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) In touch, headway 9th to chase leader, left 3rd last, stayed on flat, 3rd of 10, 3l behind Wizard of Edge (11-4) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Jan.
Acertack (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Hit 1st, chased leaders, headway to lead 5th to 8th, mistake and driven 9th, weakening when blundered 10th, behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Barton Nic (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Jan, 7 ran.
Jupon Vert (FR) 3-1fav (11-11) Led, ridden when hit 2 out, all out when headed close home, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Advance East (10-2) at Chepstow 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Jan.
He's The Gaffer (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Rear, headway 7th, ridden after 3 out, led and left well clear last, easily, won at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-95 (F) gd in Dec beating Wizard of Edge (11-11) by 17l, 12 ran.
Green Gamble 11-2 (10-11) Mid-division, ridden and weakened after 5th, behind when pulled up 4 out in race won by Jolly Boy (9-11) at Huntingdon 2m cnd hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd in Dec, 10 ran.
