chased leaders, outpaced after 3 out, ridden and went modest 3rd before next
reluctant to line up, led briefly, chased leader until led 4th, well in command from 2 out, stayed on strongly
tracked leaders on inside, mistake and rider lost iron briefly 1st then raced keenly, not fluent 5th, pushed along after 4 out, outpaced after next, weakened before 2 out
led until hit 4th and headed, chased winner, not fluent 4 out, well held and no chance with winner 2 out, finished tired
held up in last pair, never on terms, plugged on in 4th
always last, tailed off when mistake 3 out, hung left from next
Dargiannini won a Sedgefield bumper by 20 lengths on his racecourse debut but Mackenburg does set a decent hurdling standard in this on his Carlisle victory and subsequent close second behind Hooligan at Wetherby. Fly To Mars hasn’t raced since March of last year but was threatening to get his head in front before that while Straw Fan Jack is on an upward curve. DANEHILL KODIAC was a Group 3 winner on the Flat and far from disgraced after a lengthy absence at Wetherby – he’ll strip fitter here.
Mackenberg (GER) 4-5fav (11-3) Numerous mistakes, led, clear going easily before 3 out, mistake next, ridden and 5 lengths ahead when mistake at the last, weakened badly run-in, headed towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Hooligan (11-3) at Wetherby 2m (2) sft in Nov.
Straw Fan Jack 10-1 (11-11) Raced keenly, chased leader, not fluent 6th, 3rd when mistake 2 out, rallied last, every chance towards finish, just held, 2nd of 11, hd behind Fifty Ball (11-6) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Danehill Kodiac (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Reluctant leader at steady pace, headed before 3rd, chased leaders, every chance 2 out, weakened approaching last, 8th of 12, 16l behind Dusart (10-12) at Newbury 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Dargiannini (IRE) 11-8fav (10-12) Prominent, led 4f out, clear inside final 2f, impressive, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f (5) gd in Oct beating Tardree (10-12) by 20l, 12 ran.
Fly To Mars 5-6fav (11-2) Tracked clear leader, closed to lead narrowly when fell 3 out, at Exeter 2m 3f mdn (4) sft in Mar.
Fugitif (FR) 16-1 (10-12) Not jump that well, held up in rear, headway 7th, beaten from 2 out, well held 5th before last, 5th of 6, 25 1/2l behind Wilde About Oscar (11-4) at Aintree 2m 4f (4) gs in Nov.
