chased leaders, ridden before 9th, weakening when mistake 3 out, tailed off
chased leaders, lost place after 8th, closed from next, outpaced before 2 out, rallied last, went 4th flat, no impression
chased leader until before 9th, soon beaten, mistake 2 out
held up towards rear, headway on outside before 3 out, every chance 2 out, 4th and beaten last, weakened
mid-division, not fluent 6th, headway to go 2nd before 9th, led approaching 3 out, headed final 130 yards, held towards finish
never going and soon well behind, pulled up after 5th
mid-division on outside, headway 9th, not fluent 3 out, close 2nd last, led final 130 yards, stayed on
led until before 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, pulled up before last
chased leaders, lost place before 4th, closed approaching 9th, outpaced after 2 out, rallied last, kept on
COURT BALOO was in good form at the turn of the year and trip and going are ideal. If he’s ready after a break, Alistair Whillans’ top weight shouldn’t be far away. Aptly Put is still a maiden but would also have decent claims on a couple of runs here last summer. Get An Oscar needs quicker conditions but Achill Road Boy is a proven stayer and Samtu could also figure from near the foot of the handicap. Top Billing has plummeted down the weights but has only won once since 2015 and appears on the downgrade.
Court Baloo (IRE) 4-1 (10-13) Prominent, led 9th, hit and headed 3 out, soon ridden, kept on to go 2nd final strides, 2nd of 8, 7 1/2l behind Petite Ganache (10-8) at Musselburgh 3m hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Aptly Put (IRE) 12-1 (11-11) Disputed lead to before 3rd, soon lost place, behind and struggling 8th, tailed off after 2 out (usual 3 out), 9th of 11, dist behind Toi Storey (11-10) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Get An Oscar (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Tracked leader, led briefly 7th, lost 2nd 3 out, weakened rapidly soon after, tailed off, last of 9, dist behind Millie Of Mayo (10-1) at Market Rasen 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
David John 66-1 (10-13) Led until 2 out, lost 2nd and weakened quickly between last 2, 5th of 7, 22 3/4l behind Justatenner (11-12) at Cartmel 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Jul.
Achill Road Boy (IRE) 9-1 (11-11) Held up off the pace in last trio, never on terms, tailed off when hit 3 out, 5th of 9, 23 3/4l behind Oscar Ceremony (11-4) at Musselburgh 3m hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Invincible Cave (IRE) 11-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, went 2nd after 4th until before 4 out, weakened quickly, tailed off, 8th of 9, dist behind Tara Niece (11-7) at Newton Abbot 2m 6f hcp (5) gd in Jul.
Top Billing 10-1 (11-9) In touch on outside, driven and outpaced after 4 out, ridden after next, stayed on into modest 3rd 2 out, no chance with clear pair, 3rd of 8, 22 1/2l behind Wind Of Hope (11-2) at Ayr 3m hcp (5) sft in Mar.
Samtu (IRE) 11-4 (11-1) Prominent to 8th, reminders and soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up before 10th, at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Mar.
Shaiyzar (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) Not that fluent towards rear, last when blundered 12th, well behind 14th, pulled up before 3 out, at Southwell 3m hcp (5) gd in Jul.
