led to 7th, pushed along and weakened from 3 out
held up towards rear, headway 4 out, led before 3 out, kept on strongly from last
with leaders, led 7th, headed before 3 out, soon weakened
in rear, weakened from 8th, tailed off
tracked leaders, ridden after 2 out, soon weakened, jumped left last
tracked leaders, lost place before 3 out
held up mid-division, headway 4 out, every chance 2 out, kept on and no chance with winner from last
held up towards rear, headway before 3 out to chase leaders, kept on same in 3rd from last
BRYDEN BOY has won twice, both times on very heavy ground. He went up 9lb for an easy victory at Uttoxeter and almost defied the extra at Hereford so can get back to winning ways from the same mark. Sevenballs Of Fire won over 3m2f here in March and hasn't been disgraced in better company subsequently so he has to be respected with his rider's claim a bonus. Lochnell has gained all three of her victories on this track, two over the distance. She's 10lb higher than her last success but has Richard Johnson to aid her cause. Hartforth produced a 50/1 shock over the track and trip last month but this is his class and trip so it would be no surprise if he followed up. Bourne is 7lb higher than when landing a similar grade handicap at Carlisle in October but his last two starts have been in better company.
Sevenballs Of Fire (IRE) 11-2 (10-3) Held up towards rear, pushed along before 8th, in 5th before 2 out, never dangerous, 4th of 10, 17 1/2l behind Milborough (10-3) at Carlisle 3m 1f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Bryden Boy (IRE) 13-2 (12-0) Held up in rear, headway from 9th, challenged 2 out, every chance after, driven flat, held final 50 yards, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Courtown Oscar (11-12) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Hartforth 50-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway before 3 out, led after last, kept on, won at Ayr 3m hcp (4) hvy in Dec beating West Of The Edge (10-13) by 1l, 11 ran.
See Double You (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Towards rear, headway 2 out (usual 3 out), went 4th on long run between last 2, ridden and no impression before last, no chance with leaders, 4th of 12, 10 1/2l behind Ash Park (11-11) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Jun.
Portrait King (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, lost place 7th, not fluent 11th, mistake 15th (canal turn), 7th and no impression 2 out, 6th of 22, 15 3/4l behind Vieux Lion Rouge (10-9) at Aintree 3m 2f hcp (1) gs in Dec.
Moon Indigo 14-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders in 3rd, weakened before 4 out, 7th of 11, 30 1/4l behind Hartforth (11-7) at Ayr 3m hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Bourne 17-2 (10-8) Reluctant to start and lost all of 15 lengths, behind, progress to rear of field 3rd, ridden 5th, kept on approaching last, never nearer, 4th of 8, 11 1/2l behind Nordic Nymph (10-6) at Bangor 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Lochnell (IRE) 3-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, chased winner before last, kept on and no impression, 2nd of 9, 8l behind Rowdy Rocher (11-12) at Ayr 3m hcp (4) sft in Jan.