led, ridden 2 out, pressed approaching next, headed towards finish
tracked leaders, ridden 2 out, soon outpaced by leading pair
towards rear, weakened and pulled up 4 out
close up, chased leader 2 out, pressed leader when not fluent next, ridden and stayed on to lead towards finish
tracked leader, reminders 5 out, weakened 2 out
in rear, ridden and outpaced 3 out, tailed off
This looks quite competitive. Cerendipity wasn’t disgraced on hurdling debut at Haydock and General Officer goes for the hat-trick after winning twice over 2m at Musselburgh, though won’t find this easy under a double penalty. Bingoo bolted up at Hexham but has to give 6lb to COPSHILL LAD, who made mistakes when third at Exeter and will know more today. Shir I Dont Know travelled strongly last time at Ayr but had too much ground to make up in the closing stages. He continues to improve with every run and the return to a longer trip will suit Iain Jardine’s charge.
General Officer (IRE) 1-5fav (11-7) Not fluent 1st, made all, 3 lengths ahead at the last, kept up to work run in, unchallenged, won at Musselburgh 2m (4) gs in Dec beating Leading Force (11-0) by 3 3/4l, 5 ran.
Bingoo 4-1 (11-0) Prominent, smooth headway to challenge approaching last, shaken up to lead when mistake last, kept on well, won at Hexham 2m (4) sft in Nov beating Copper Beach (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Allibaba 12-1 (11-0) Not fluent on occasions, midfield, ridden 3 out, never dangerous, 8th of 17, 25 1/4l behind Quick Sharpener (11-0) at Wetherby 2m (4) sft in Dec.
Cerendipity (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway chasing leaders after 4 out, mistake 3 out, no chance after, weakened, 5th of 11, 13l behind War Soldier (11-6) at Haydock 2m (3) sft in Dec.
Copshill Lad (IRE) 13-2 (11-6) Chased leader, edged left and lost 2nd approaching 3 out, 2nd again soon after 3 out until 2 out, ridden and no extra in 3rd, 3rd of 16, 12 1/2l behind How Will I Know (11-6) at Exeter 2m 3f mdn (4) hvy in Jan.
Shir I Dont Know (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway 6th, not fluent 2 out, went 4th and kept on flat, no impression, 4th of 14, 19 1/4l behind Ruby Island (10-11) at Ayr 2m mdn (4) gs in Dec.