mid-division, ridden 4 out, stayed on one pace
prominent, ridden approaching 4 out, one pace
held up, ridden 12th, weakened
led until fell 1st
chased leader, hampered 1st, left in lead 8th, jumped left from 12th, ridden 4 out, headed 2 out, no extra
mid-division, headway, chased leaders 8th, led after 2 out, driven out
hampered 1st, rider lost iron briefly, mid-division until ridden 12th, weakened 13th
held up, headway 11th, stayed on to go 3rd from 2 out
held up behind, blundered 3rd, headway, ridden 13th, blundered 3 out, weakened next
led from 1st, jumped left, unseated rider 8th
chased leader, pulled hard, hit 6th, ridden, weakened 11th
GOLDEN DUCK is selected ahead of Roussea and Brave Jo. Leading Article is the obvious starting point as Evan Williams bids to take advantage before the handicapper's input but the gelding's profile is unconvincing and this is a more competitive race than the one he won. There's always the chance that he could be improving but we'll take him on with Golden Duck who departed at the second on his reappearance. The Twiston-Davies team has made their usual strong start to the season and further success awaits this lightly gelding over fences. Roussea has been around the blocks a few times but his new yard appear to have got a little improvement out of him and he's not ruled out despite a fairly stiff looking 8lb rise. Brave Jo has been running consistently well since mid-summer and races from the same mark as when second at Market Rasen. This track could suit his style of running and he should have a say in the outcome. A few others hold lesser claims in a warm heat but those three appeal most with Golden Duck taken to deliver.
Lidjo De Rouge (FR) 8-1 (11-5) Held up in touch, headway 12th, 4th and beaten when blundered 2 out, 4th of 9, 16l behind Soleil Fix (10-9) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in May.
College Ace (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway halfway, chased leaders 10th, under pressure 4 out, soon beaten, 3rd of 12, well behind Gumley Gale (10-0) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in May.
Nesnaas (USA) 13-2 (11-4) Towards rear, mistake 10th, weakened next, 5th of 8, 25l behind Roussea (10-4) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Sept.
Brave Jo (FR) 6-1 (11-4) Led, headed 3 out, soon ridden and outpaced, rallied flat, kept on, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Bermuda Pointe (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Sept.
Golden Duck (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Held up when bumped and unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by Caliban (11-3) at Market Rasen 2m 2f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Sept, 12 ran.
Smoke Trail (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Always towards rear, no impression, 7th of 10, 34l behind Star of Germany (11-4) at N Abbot 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Aug.
Roussea (IRE) 3-1fav (10-4) Held up, headway and chased leader 4 out, led approaching 2 out, pushed clear from last, comfortably, won at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Sept beating City Affair (11-11) by 4l, 8 ran.
Leading Article (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (11-2) Held up, steady progress from 11th, led soon after 2 out, pushed clear, comfortably, won at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd beating Thenameescapesme (11-10) by 13l, 15 ran.
Meet The Legend (IRE) 15-2 (10-12) In touch, mistake and unseated rider at the 7th in race won by Different Class (10-12) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Sept, 14 ran.
Pebese (IRE) 5-1 (11-9) Tracking leader when mistake and unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by Leading Article (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd, 15 ran.
So Brash (IRE) 9-2 (10-1) Tracked leaders, struggling after 9th, no chance from 13th, 4th of 5, 46l behind Lindsay (11-10) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Apr.
