tracked leader to 5th, weakened after 10th
held up in touch, headway 10th, tracked leading pair approaching 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, no chance with winner
chased leaders, led briefly after 9th, weakened after 4 out
always behind, struggling 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 11th
led to 3rd, weakened 8th, soon well behind
in touch, headway 8th, chased winner 4 out to 2 out, weakened before last
prominent until weakened quickly 9th, tailed off
prominent to 6th, blundered 10th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
led 3rd, hit 5th, briefly headed 9th, clear 3 out, eased run-in
behind, hit 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 10th
mistake 5th, always behind
Nonrunner
The could develop into the battle of the boys and although Julie's Boy is in cracking form at present, he may find the concession of 19lb to Jolly Boy too much for him in this soft ground. The latter was a very easy winner of an ordinary contest at Hereford last time, where the key to his success was a superb round of jumping. A similar round would give him every chance of defying a 7lb penalty and following up. Julie's Boy is on a hat-trick after wins here and at Windsor, and a further 5lb rise won't help his bid. However, he is still not exposed over fences and we won't dismiss his chances in this contest by any stretch of the imagination given that he handles cut well. Wherever he finishes then Mystical Star probably won't be far away. The eight-year-old is much better off at the weights than last time the pair clashed over 2m 2f here, and connections must fancy him to reverse placings over the longer trip. Walcot Lad goes well here and acts with cut, but is hard to catch right, while Borehill Joker is interesting on his first start since leaving Karen George and joining the canny Victor Dartnall. He has ability but we haven't seen much of it just lately and he could go well if freshened up. But Jolly Boy left a good impression last time and can follow up.
Julies Boy (IRE) 11-10fav (10-4) Tracked leader, led 2 out, pushed clear run-in, readily, won at Windsor 2m hcp chs 0-100 (F) gd in Nov beating Pavey Ark (10-0) by 5l, 7 ran.
Mystical Star (FR) 11-4fav (10-11) Held up, mistake 2nd, headway 7th, chased winner from 4 out, every chance 2 out, not pace of winner, hit last, 2nd of 11, 6l behind Julies Boy (9-8) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (F) gs in Nov.
Walcot Lad (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) With winner to 11th, ridden and every chance approaching last, stayed on towards finish, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Swallow Magic (10-7) at Leicester 2m 4f chs 0-90 (F) gf in Nov.
Borehill Joker 15-2 (11-1) Always behind, last of 7, 43l behind Outside Investor (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f clm hdl (F) gf in Sept.
Woodenbridge Dream (IRE) 4-1 (10-2) Led, ridden and headed 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 5, 8l behind Direct Flight (11-7) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gd in Nov.
Jolly Boy (FR) 9-1 (10-1) Always prominent, ridden to lead 3 out, clear 2 out, comfortably, won at Hereford 2m nov hcp chs 0-95 (F) gd in Nov beating Moscow Gold (9-11) by 11l, 15 ran.
Ah Yeah (IRE) 11-1 (10-11) Held up and keen, headway 10th, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 10, 20l behind Never Awol (10-6) at Towcester 3m cnd hcp chs (F) sft in Nov.
Constant Husband 66-1 (10-7) Started slowly, behind, headway 4 out, hit 3 out, weakened after next, 5th of 12, 17l behind Swallow Magic (10-7) at Leicester 2m 4f chs 0-90 (F) gf in Nov.
