held up, ridden 3 out, never dangerous
mid-division, ridden 3 out, one pace after
prominent, led 2 out, easily
led, ridden and headed 2 out, no impression on winner
held up, ridden halfway, soon weakened and tailed off
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, soon weakened
Most Honourable scored over track and trip in good ground last month and a penalty is negated by Daragh Bourke's claim. King Rolfe was tailed off behind Zandy Man in Listed company last time but is not easily dismissed in this company, though preference is for ADMIRAL HAWKE. He went close on a couple of occasions when trained in Ireland and can come good on only his second start for Brian Ellison. Martin Chuzzlewit won just the once on the Flat for Andrew Balding and makes his hurdling bow for new connections but much better is expected from The Backup Plan after a modest debut at Market Rasen.
King Rolfe (IRE) 20-1 (11-6) Took keen hold tracking leaders, went 2nd after 3rd, lost place after 4 out, eased after next, last of 5, well behind Zamdy Man (11-8) at Haydock 2m Listed nov hdl (1) sft in Nov.
Admiral Hawke (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Mid-division, pushed along after 3 out, soon weakened, 11th of 15, 26l behind Lord Protector (11-2) at Sandown 2m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs in Dec.
Emral Silk 12-1 (10-7) In touch, outpaced 6th, struggling when went left next, soon eased, tailed off, 7th of 8, 42l behind John Reel (10-12) at Southwell 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
The Backup Plan (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Set steady pace, ridden and headed 4f out, weakened 3f out, 5th of 7, 28l behind Kilcooley (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f NH flat (6) sft in Nov.
Cottam Maybel 66-1 (9-7) Slow into stride outpaced, never near leaders, 6th of 8, 21l behind Alegra (9-0) at Thirsk 1m mdn stks (4) gd in Aug (flat).
Most Honourable 5-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, slightly hampered 1st, pushed along before 2 out, went 2nd approaching and blundered last, stayed on under pressure flat, led final stride, won at Catterick 2m 3yo hdl (4) gd in Dec beating Morning With Ivan (10-5) by shd, 7 ran.
Martin Chuzzlewit (IRE) 12-1 (8-12) Led, ridden and headed 3f out, no impression over 1f out, 12th of 18, 5l behind Lahaag (9-9) at York 1m 4f hcp 0-100 (2) gd in Oct (flat).
