led, clear and looked likely winner after the last until headed and not pace of winner towards finish
held up in 5th place out wide, hit 5th, went 3rd before 3 out, plugged on in well held 4th run-in
off the pace in last pair, outpaced and struggling 12th, rallied on inside approaching the last, went 2nd briefly final 150 yards, stayed on in 3rd
raced keenly tracking leaders, went 2nd 4th until hit 8th, 2nd again before next, every chance 2 out, ridden and held when lost 2nd final 150 yards, weakened soon after
behind, pushed along and outpaced before 10th, tailed off
close 3rd on inside, went 2nd 3rd until next, 2nd again 8th until before next, chased leaders, lost 3rd before 3 out, ridden and weakened before next
chased leader until 3rd, chased leaders, badly outpaced before 10th, strong rally out wide to chase leaders but still plenty to do at the last, quickened run-in to lead towards finish
NonRunner
NonRunner
Step Back stays further so will need to make this a good test, though isn’t getting any younger. The booking of Brian Hughes for Mance Rayder, a dour stayer, catches the eye but we’ll take a chance on the fitness of THE FERRY MASTER. He has won off a higher mark in the past and this represents a slight drop in class. Wye Aye will have needed his run at Perth and might be the pick of the remainder as Small Present didn’t take to fences here a year ago.
Dallas Des Pictons (FR) 11-1 (12-2) Pressed leader until 4th, niggled along after 5th, lost place 2 out, well beaten last, 6th of 7, 10 1/4l behind Catchmeifyoucan (10-2) at Perth 3m hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Small Present (IRE) 16-1 (10-8) Towards rear, pushed along after 6th, well behind 9th, pulled up, at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Stylish Moment (IRE) 11-1 (11-7) Prominent, fell at the 8th, at Carlisle 3m 1f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Touch Kick (IRE) 50-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear on outside, struggling 3 out, well beaten from next, tailed off, 5th of 7, dist behind Tonto's Spirit (10-10) at Cartmel 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Aug.
Wye Aye 8-1 (12-0) Raced in last, left 2nd and hampered 5th, closed when hampered by loose horse after 8th, led before next, headed 11th, ridden after 4 out, well beaten 2 out, not fluent last, 2nd of 4, 27l behind The Greek (12-2) at Perth 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Mance Rayder (IRE) 33-1 (11-9) Raced in 4th, pushed along after 12th, jumped right and getting behind 15th, mistake next, tailed off, last of 5, dist behind El Paso Wood (12-4) at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Court Dreaming (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) Chased winner until 5th, mistake 6th, went 2nd again before 7th until 8th, outpaced before 2 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 4, 29l behind Johnson's Blue (10-6) at Hexham 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Step Back (IRE) 33-1 (10-2) Led and went clear after 2nd, hit 4 out and reduced lead, headed after next, lost 2nd 2 out, weakened before the last, 4th of 15, 24 1/2l behind Hewick (11-7) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp (1) gd in Apr.
The Ferry Master (IRE) 11-1 (10-7) Towards rear, awkward 1st and rider lost iron, regained iron 3rd, hit 11th and 14th, pushed along after 17th, headway into midfield 5 out, hampered 4 out, one pace, 9th of 23, dist behind Win My Wings (11-5) at Ayr 4m hcp (1) gs in Apr.
