raced keenly, led, hit 3 out, headed well before next, no extra
took keen hold early, tracked leaders on inside, went 2nd going well before 2 out, led last, stayed on strongly, ridden out
not fluent, tracked leaders on outside, jumped left 3rd, mistake and lost place next, mistake 4 out, rallied chasing leaders after next, pushed along disputing 2nd before 2 out, weakened between last 2, mistake last
pushed along at times, tracked leader, hit 2nd, led well before 2 out, ridden between last 2, headed last, not pace of winner run-in, kept on well for clear 2nd
held up last, headway chasing leaders after 3 out, weakening when mistake next
held up tracking leaders on inside, pushed along after 3 out, 3rd and one pace from next
Some smart performers have won this in recent years and a few of these will have Cheltenham aspirations. Slate House has a penalty for winning in this grade at Cheltenham and the second has let the form down since. Claimantakinforgan, a smart performer last season in bumpers, beat a subsequent winner at Newbury on his hurdles bow and could be anything. But MR ONE MORE made it three from three for Harry Fry when holding off Dr Des here last time. That victory would have been more impressive had he not blundered at the last and there should be plenty more to come. Coeur Blimey will need to take another major step forward to figure in this but the Theclockisticking has a couple of wide-margin victories to his name and has earned his place in the line-up.
Slate House (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) Raced keenly, soon led, made rest, driven bypassing omitted last, ridden and hard pressed inside final furlong, stayed on well (all flights in home straight omitted, low sun), won at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Nov beating Summerville Boy (11-0) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Claimantakinforgan (FR) (10-12) Held up towards rear, smooth headway 3 out, chased leaders next, led after last, ran on well, won at Newbury 2m (4) gs in Nov beating Lostintranslation (10-12) by 2 1/4l, 9 ran.
Coeur Blimey (IRE) 5-4fav (11-6) Tracked leader, challenged 4th, led after 3 out, edged slightly left 2 out and last, stayed on well to draw clear flat, won at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (3) sft in Dec beating Capeland (11-12) by 8l, 5 ran.
Dr Des (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Led, hit 2nd, headed 3 out, pushed along and lost 2nd before next, rallied approaching last, chased winner and kept on well run-in, always just held, 2nd of 6, nk behind Mr One More (11-5) at Ascot 2m (3) gs in Nov.
Mr One More (IRE) 3-1 (11-5) Chased leading pair, pushed along in 2nd place when mistake 2 out, rallied and hung right approaching last, led run-in, driven out, won at Ascot 2m (3) gs in Nov beating Dr Des (11-5) by nk, 6 ran.
Theclockisticking (IRE) 15-8 (11-4) Tracked clear leader, led between 3 out and 2 out, jumped left final 2 flights, ran on, readily, won at Huntingdon 2m (4) gd in Nov beating Cause Toujours (10-12) by 10l, 8 ran.
