mid-division, brought down 7th
tracked leaders, led 8th, ridden 2 out, eased flat
tracked leaders, fell 7th
mid-division, headway 5th, hampered and unseated rider 7th
towards rear, headway 9th, ridden to chase leading pair 4 out, kept on to take 2nd close home
led, headed 8th, weakened after 9th
towards rear, headway 8th, ridden to chase winner 4 out, held when mistake last
towards rear when unseated rider 7th
tracked leader, ridden and weakened 4 out
towards rear, badly hampered 7th, soon well behind and pulled up before 4 out
towards rear, mistake 6th, hampered next, headway after 8th, weakened after 3 out
This looks a tricky contest and Sarin is just given the vote ahead of Le Rochelais and Noble Billy. Venetia Williams continues to churn out the winners and Sarin, a recent second on his chase debut, could be capable of winning off his current mark. He was only just pipped by Brave Villa last time and should be suited by this slightly longer trip. Le Rochelais was put in his place by Reach For The Top last time out but may find this a little easier. Meanwhile Noble Billy has to be considered for each-way purposes following some consistent efforts this season. Down at the bottom of the handicap Spike Jones is another to consider for the places, but in a wide open affair we select Sarin as the most likely winner.
Marked Man (IRE) 20-1 (11-9) Always in rear, 7th of 10, well behind Parkinson (10-4) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Jan.
Le Rochelais (FR) 4-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, led 7th, ridden and headed 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 14l behind Reach For The Top (11-4) at Folkestone 2m 5f mdn chs (4) gs in Jan.
Inaro (IRE) 40-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, mistake 10th, blundered 12th and hit next, plugged on at one pace, 5th of 11, 25l behind Oedipe (10-2) at Kempton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Sarin 5-1 (11-9) In touch, left 2nd 4 out, every chance from next, kept on close home, 2nd of 8, nk behind Brave Villa (11-2) at Taunton 2m nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft.
Elegant Clutter (IRE) 13-2 (11-7) Mid-division, pushed along 3 out, soon beaten, 7th of 14, 32l behind Clock House (10-5) at Wetherby 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan.
Noble Bily (FR) 10-3 (11-10) Held up, headway after 12th, close 3rd when blundered 3 out, no chance after, 4th of 7, 31l behind Even More (11-9) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs.
Prince of Persia 40-1 (11-4) Towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, 12 lengths 5th and staying on when blundered badly 3 out, not recover, 8th of 13, 40l behind Art Virginia (11-11) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (3) gs in Dec.
Beehawk 9-2 (10-4) Held up, behind when pulled up at the 7th in race won by Ballycassidy (11-5) at Worcester 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (B) gf in Jun '05, 15 ran.
Stoney Drove (FR) 66-1 (11-0) Mid-division, weakened 7th, 7th of 14, 23l behind Ringaroses (11-6) at Ascot 2m 3f nov hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Suprendre Espere 16-1 (10-13) Led until 4th, remained prominent, weakened 4 out, 11th of 18, well behind Malko De Beaumont (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Dec.
Spike Jones (NZ) 10-1 (10-6) Keen and mistake in rear, stayed on from 5 out, not trouble leaders, 3rd of 12, 8l behind Easibrook Jane (9-11) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft.
