pressed leader, led 7th, headed 3 out, soon ridden and lost place, weakened from last
held up behind, headway when hit 4 out, driven after next, chased clear pair last, never on terms, lost 3rd flat
mid-division, tracked leaders 4th, driven to chase winner when switched right before 2 out, soon ridden, kept on until no extra and well held flat
chased leaders to before 5 out, weakened next, tailed off
held up behind, headway after 4 out, driven to chase leaders after next, ridden after 2 out, stayed on into 3rd flat, no chance with front pair
mid-division, driven to chase leaders after 4 out, never pace to get on terms, weakened 2 out
led to 7th, ridden and weakened quickly after 4 out, behind when pulled up before next
tracked leaders, outpaced before 3 out, soon weakened
always prominent on outside, went 2nd 4 out, led next, ridden clear flat, stayed on well
in touch on inside, lost place 6th, behind from 8th, tailed off
Too Many Chiefs finished a well beaten fourth in last year’s renewal of this Stayers’ final when Another Mattie was pulled-up. The progressive Justatenner has won three of only six starts for Tristan Davidson and winning conditional Harry Reed is on board once again though Richard Johnson partners stablemate Chicoria, who landed a double at the end of last season. Moorlands Mist has a more recent double under his belt but is upped in class along with Letemgo while Western Rules got no further than the first fence here on his chasing bow and reverts to the smaller obstacles today. RIVABODIVA was well beaten on fast going on her reappearance but won nicely in soft ground at Hexham on her latest start and with more to come from Lucinda Russell’s mare, she gets the vote.
Too Many Chiefs (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, effort 3 out, soon lost place and ridden, weakened from 2 out, tailed off, 4th of 7, dist behind Jack Devine (11-12) at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Justatenner 4-1 (10-7) Behind, headway going well 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, every chance when jumped left last, stayed on, always just being held by winner, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Takingrisks (10-10) at Ayr 3m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Western Rules (IRE) 22-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear when hampered and unseated rider 1st, at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Rivabodiva (IRE) 10-3 (11-0) Led until 2nd, led again 5th, drew clear after 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Hexham 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Oct beating The Hollow Ginge (11-11) by 6l, 5 ran.
Letemgo (IRE) 25-1 (11-8) In rear, headway before 3 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 6, 2 1/2l behind Island Heights (11-12) at Musselburgh 3m hcp (4) gf in Nov.
Chicoria (IRE) 11-4 (11-5) Tracked leader, saddle slipped slightly forward 8th, led narrowly 2 out, ridden after last, held on well under pressure flat, won at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (4) hvy in Apr beating Geronimo (11-4) by nk, 6 ran.
Moorlands Mist 16-1 (11-5) Made all, soon well clear, hard driven when challenged from 2 out, held on gamely, all out, won at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp (4) gd in Nov beating Calin Du Brizais (11-12) by nk, 8 ran.
Another Mattie (IRE) 22-1 (11-10) In touch, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, weakened after 2 out, 5th of 15, 11 3/4l behind Cold Shoulder (11-8) at Ayr 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Top Billing 4-1fav (11-11) Held up towards rear, under pressure 7th, soon beaten, 14th of 16, 19 1/2l behind Lawtop Legend (10-13) at Hexham 2m 7f hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Broadway Belle 9-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, headway to chase leaders halfway, ridden after 3 out, weakened before last, 4th of 8, 21 1/4l behind Moorlands Mist (11-5) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
