led until 1st, prominent, slow 2nd, ridden and every chance 2 out, no impression on winner last
held up in rear, closed before 5th, improved from 3 out, led 2 out, clear last, stayed on well
not always fluent in rear, no impression from 3 out
led 1st, headed 16th, lost place and beaten after 3 out, went 4th towards finish
held up on outside, improved before 15th, not fluent 16th, held in 4th when switched right after 2 out, went 3rd last, one pace
held up in touch on inside, struggling 3 out, well beaten before 2 out
not always fluent, raced on outside and pressed leader, pecked 6th, mistake 15th, led next, headed 2 out, lost 3rd and no extra last
NonRunner
Highland Hunter is likely to run in this rather than in a competitive staying hurdle at Haydock and is an interesting runner making his chasing bow after a second over timber at Ayr. He stays well and will handle conditions but is giving 8lb to GO WHATEVER, who boasts similar qualities and should make a chaser having already won between the flags. Demachine beat a big field at Uttoxeter, including Young Bull and Minella Bobo, but has gone up 10lb while Hold That Taught has been raised 4lb for finishing second at Lingfield. Stamina could be an issue for Salty Boy.
Young Bull (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway just after halfway out wide, further headway and challenged 3 out, kept on at one pace after 2 out, 3rd of 18, 7 1/2l behind Demachine (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Demachine (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) In touch with leaders, travelled smoothly 3 out, ridden to challenge 2 out, led going over last, kept on well flat, won at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp (3) gs in Oct beating Morning Vicar (10-13) by 4 1/2l, 18 ran.
Salty Boy (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Tracked leader, outpaced 6 out, detached from main group 3 out out, rallied well when ridden and stayed on strongly closing stages, 4th of 7, 8 1/4l behind Sevarano (11-8) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Go Whatever (IRE) 8-1 (10-1) Chased leaders, 2nd 3 out, every chance 2 out, ridden and chance at the last, tired and hung left run, weakened into 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 17, 6 1/4l behind Limited Reserve (10-3) at Sandown 2m 7f hcp (1) hvy in Feb.
Hold That Taught 9-2 (11-11) Chased leaders, went 2nd and hung left soon after 4 out, every chance from 3 out, not much room run-in, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Gleno (11-2) at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Minella Bobo (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Pressed leader, impeded 5th, pushed along 3 out, no extra after next, 7th of 18, 20l behind Demachine (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Ivilnoble (IRE) 20-1 (11-5) Prominent, not fluent 1st, weakened after 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, at Market Rasen 3m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Highland Hunter (IRE) 11-4fav (11-11) Better than mid-division, headway to go 3rd 2 out, ran on after last to snatch 2nd on line, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Justatenner (11-10) at Ayr 3m hcp (3) hvy in Oct.
