made all, drew clear before 3 out, soon ridden, in no danger after, went left last, pushed out, very easily
held up in rear, close up 8th, went 2nd before 3 out, ridden after next, kept on same pace, no chance with easy winner
tracked leaders, close when fell heavily 7th
tracked winner on inside, not fluent 6th, lost place before 3 out, soon beaten, weakened next
prominent on outside, lost place briefly 7th, outpaced in 3rd 3 out, soon ridden, no chance with front pair from next
NonRunner
ASK BEN is one of three penalised for earlier wins. The latter beat higher rated rivals than these when returning a shock winner at Newcastle last month but the form looks solid enough with the runner-up subsequently winning. Craiganboy was no match for the winner in a handicap here last time but won a novice event over track and trip before that while Diocese opened his account when scoring over a shorter trip at Wetherby recently. Mistermoonboy has placed over these obstacles the last twice while last month’s point-to-point winner Speak Of The Devil debuts under Rules.
Ask Ben (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) In touch, went 2nd halfway, led 3 out, mistake next, soon headed, rallied last, ran on to lead again closing stages, just held on, won at Newcastle 2m 6f (2) sft in Dec beating Beakstown (11-3) by hd, 6 ran.
Craiganboy (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear and keen, steady headway 3 out, went 2nd at the last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 10l behind Strong Resemblance (11-7) at Ayr 3m hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Diocese (FR) 10-1 (11-7) In touch, slow 1st, challenged before 3 out, led approaching 2 out, hung left and soon headed, led again flat, stayed on, won at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Dec beating Putting Green (11-12) by nk, 14 ran.
Pieceoftheaction (IRE) 4-6fav (12-6) A.p; led 9-11; ev ch 2 out; one pce, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Matts Commission (12-0) at Alnwick 3m in Dec.
Speak Of The Devil (IRE) 3-1 (12-2) Prom, 2nd 5out, clsr normal 3out, rdn in 3rd bypassed 2out, pow to ld bypassed last, sow to line, gamely, won at Tattersalls Farm 3m mdn sft in Dec beating Generator City (12-2) by 1l, 14 ran.
Flemens Story (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Disputed lead, reminders after 8th, lost place 4 out, not fluent next, soon weakened, 5th of 11, 30l behind Mighty Thunder (10-12) at Kelso 2m 7f mdn (4) gd in Dec.
Mistermoonboy (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, ridden and one pace in 3rd approaching last, 3rd of 11, 7 1/4l behind Johnbb (11-6) at Ayr 2m 4f mdn (5) sft in Jan.
