led, ridden before last, kept on and headed towards finish
tracked leaders, weakened before 3 out
chased leaders, weakened 2 out
held up towards rear, pushed along after 4 out, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened
in rear, headway before 2 out, ridden before last, kept on towards finish
held up towards rear, pushed along 4 out, ridden before last, one pace
tracked leaders, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last
held up mid-division, headway before 4 out, switched right run-in, stayed on to led towards finish
held up towards rear, mid-division after 5th, chased leaders before 3 out, ridden in 2nd before last, kept on
held up mid-division, pushed along 4 out, no impression
held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, went 3rd last, weakened run-in
chased leader, weakened 2 out
Nonrunner
There is plenty of stamina in the pedigree of MOUNTAIN KING (NAP) and he should relish this extra half-mile. He travelled strong for a long way in a Listed handicap at Ascot last month and is probably still on a decent mark. Secrete Stream readily landed a gamble at Wetherby five weeks ago but has gone up 10lb since while Dawalan never looked happy over this trip at Haydock last time, though did keep on well for pressure. Nexius is chasing a four-timer and is obviously improving but Bear's Affair and Tap Night are probably better over fences nowadays. Wadswick Court did run the selection to a neck in February and the pair meet on similar terms today so he could go well if fully recovered from a fall here in October.
Bear's Affair (IRE) 3-1 (11-9) Held up in rear, not fluent 8th, jumped left and not fluent next, soon behind, pulled up before 10th, in a race won by Fox Appeal (11-9) at Kempton 2m 4f grad ch (2) sft in Nov, 4 ran.
Tap Night (USA) 10-1 (11-12) Held up, headway when hit 6th, ridden 3 out, weakening when hit 2 out, 5th of 9, 26l behind One For Harry (10-7) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-150 (2) sft in Nov.
Meadowcroft Boy 9-2 (11-8) With leader and keen, led 4th, headed 4 out, weakened from 3 out, 3rd of 6, 24l behind Zamdy Man (11-11) at Haydock 2m nov hdl G2 (1) hvy in Jan.
Wadswick Court (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) Tracked leader, led 4th, fell next, in a race won by Hawk High (11-10) at Aintree 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-150 (2) gd in Oct, 9 ran.
Mijhaar 33-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, pushed along after 4 out, stayed on flat, never nearer, 7th of 15, 13l behind Garde La Victoire (11-9) at Cheltenham 2m hcp hdl Grade 3 (1) sft in Nov.
Secrete Stream (IRE) 7-2fav (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, led before last, stayed on strongly, won at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Nov beating Shimla Dawn (11-12) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Mountain King 9-2 (10-8) Held up in mid-division, headway approaching 4 out, tracked leaders going well after next, every chance on inside 2 out, weakened approaching last, 6th of 11, 16l behind Sign Of A Victory (10-12) at Ascot 2m Listed hcp hdl (1) gd in Nov.
Dawalan (FR) 9-2 (11-4) Held up towards rear, pushed long before 4 out on outer, soon outpaced, stayed on strongly from last, 4th of 11, 4 1/2l behind On Tour (11-3) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) sft in Nov.
Nexius (IRE) 5-2fav (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, led approaching 2 out, hard ridden when strongly challenged after last, stayed on strongly, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Nov beating Merchant Of Dubai (11-3) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
Frankie's Promise (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) In touch, ridden and headway after 4 out, weakened 2 out, 9th of 11, 32l behind Captain Clayton (10-11) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Oct.
Bell Weir 40-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, headway before 3 out, went 3rd before last, kept on run-in, 3rd of 14, 4l behind Closing Ceremony (11-5) at Haydock 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Nov.
Handmaid 4-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 7, 26l behind Baileys Concerto (11-9) at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp hdl (3) gd in Sep.
Creepy (IRE) 3-1 (11-5) Led, not fluent 5th, headed 8th, mistake 12th, fell 15th, in a race won by Kings Palace (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m nov chs (2) sft in Nov, 5 ran.
