mid-division, headway and effort on outside before 2 out, driven and one pace approaching last, no impression
reluctant start, behind, outpaced 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure to go 3rd last, no impression
mid-division, disputed 4th and in touch when fell 4 out
reluctantly led, headed 3rd, tracked leader, led again before 2 out, drew clear approaching last, stayed on well, readily
tracked leaders, headway 3 out, chased winner next, soon ridden, kept on same pace approaching last, no chance with winner flat
in rear, struggling 5th, lost touch 4 out, tailed off
raced keenly, tracked leading pair when ran out 1st
tracked leaders, outpaced approaching 2 out, soon ridden, no impression approaching last
tracked leader, led when blundered 3rd, hit next, mistake and reminder 6th, driven and headed before 2 out, weakened last
This is a very modest affair with top weight Gumball having shown little over hurdles so far. Lisdonagh House won at Newcastle in April and ran a little better at Uttoxeter last time. He's one for the short-list along with Bagsy's Bridge, just beaten off today's mark at Wetherby last time, while the mare Abbi Jicaro has bits of form that entitle her to respect. But we'll take a chance on the fitness of winning pointer THAT'S SOME MILAN, who returns from a prolonged absence but represents a stable in fair form and is almost certainly capable of improving on what he's shown so far over hurdles.
Gumball 20-1 (10-12) Held up, mistake 2nd, weakened approaching 3 out, 9th of 16, 42l behind Poole Master (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m NH mdn hdl (5) gs in Nov.
Sacco D'oro 12-1 (10-8) Held up in rear, ridden in 5th after 7th, fell 3 out, in a race won by Sansili (10-4) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Jul, 9 ran.
Lost Arca (FR) 14-1 (11-4) In rear, never on terms, 5th of 11, 29l behind Truckers Princess (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Dec.
Bagsy's Bridge (IRE) 4-1 (10-2) Held up, smooth headway 3out, led approaching last, driven and headed post, 2nd of 12, nk behind Turbolinas (10-3) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.
That's Some Milan (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, lost place approaching 2 out, went 3rd before last, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 13, 35l behind Rhum (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (4) hvy in Oct '10.
Lisdonagh House (IRE) 50-1 (10-1) Raced keenly, held up, always behind, 10th of 17, 10l behind Cocacobana (10-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
Abbi Jicaro 18-1 (9-11) Led, not fluent 6th, headed approaching 3 out, no extra next, 4th of 11, 15l behind Cityar (9-13) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.
Nevsky Bridge 40-1 (10-5) Keen hold in mid-division, lost place 4th, soon beaten, 5th of 7, 27l behind Drumlang (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Dec.
Pergamon (IRE) 16-1 (9-11) With leader, not fluent 4th, ridden and lost 2nd after 7th, weakened 9th, tailed off, 7th of 8, well behind Derwen Pryde (10-7) at Ludlow 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Nov.
