held up towards rear, left modest 4th bypassing 3 out, weakened next
pulled hard, chased leader until after 3rd, chased leaders, weakened quickly after next, soon behind, tailed off when blundered 2 out, soon pulled up
raced keenly, led, ducked left and unseated rider bypassing 3 out
took keen hold in last pair, pushed along and struggling in 6th after bypassing 3 out, weakened before next, tailed off
held up in 6th place, ridden and struggling in 7th bypassing 3 out, tailed off
tracked leading pair, mistake 3rd, 2nd before mistake next, left in lead bypassing 3 out, ridden and headed on long run before next, weakened soon after
jumped badly left, well in rear, detached after 3rd, plugged on in modest 5th before 2 out, went 4th run-in
held up in 8th, steady headway when left 5th bypassing 3 out, tracked leading trio and closed on long run before 2 out, switched right between last two, quickened to lead before the last, soon clear, easily
held up off the pace in 5th, closer approaching 4th, left in close 2nd bypassing 3 out, led 2 out, ridden and headed before the last, no chance with winner, just held on for 2nd
pulled hard, tracked leaders, left close 2nd bypassing 3 out, led narrowly on long run before 2 out, headed 2 out, lost 2nd and weakened before the last, plugged on run-in
This is an exceptionally low-class handicap in which winning point-to-pointer Steel Native finds himself with top weight despite being beaten a long way in all four starts over timber. ONLY A TIPPLE showed a bit more promise at Sedgefield and, as he wouldn't need much more here, he edges the vote by a process of elimination. Without Frontier has hardly picked his feet up in three starts at very long odds in maiden and novice company, a remark that also applies to triple point-to-point winner Champagne Benefit. Manton Boy has a similar profile as do stable companions Wonga Swinger and El Tiburon while Tara's Rainbow has been tailed off when encountering soft ground. The remaining pair haven't shown a glimmer of ability.
Steel Native (IRE) 12-1 (12-0) In rear, pushed along before 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 4th of 6, 28 1/4l behind Looks Like Power (12-1) at Ffos Las 2m hcp (5) hvy in Dec.
Champagne Benefit (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Led until 4 out, weakened after next, 9th of 18, dist behind Chalonnial (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f (4) sft in Dec.
Without Frontier (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Towards rear, ridden and struggling from 4th, well behind 6th, tailed off, 9th of 10, dist behind Tintern Theatre (11-0) at Ludlow 2m mdn (4) sft in Nov.
Manton Boy 250-1 (10-12) Always behind, 11th of 18, dist behind Chalonnial (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f (4) sft in Dec.
El Tiburon (IRE) 25-1 (11-6) Mid-division, soon towards rear, soon in rear, struggling halfway, 8th of 10, dist behind Sober Sailor (10-10) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (5) gs in Dec.
Wonga Swinger 125-1 (10-12) In touch in mid-division, closed after 2nd, ridden before 5th, soon weakened, 9th of 10, dist behind Back To The Thatch (10-12) at Bangor 2m 7f (3) sft in Dec.
Tara's Rainbow 11-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, not fluent 2nd, mistake next, soon pulled up, at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (5) gf in May.
Highland Life 66-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, mistakes, lost place 3rd, well beaten from 7th, 7th of 9, dist behind Miss Mash (11-4) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Only A Tipple 28-1 (10-10) Mid-division, headway on outside 4 out, driven to chase winner after next, never on terms, lost place last, 5th of 12, 17 1/2l behind Vic's Last Stand (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Goonjim (IRE) 16-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, well beaten from 3 out, 10th of 15, dist behind Mrs Burbidge (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
