disputed lead until not fluent 3rd, chased leaders, lost place and behind after 7th, soon struggling, continued well tailed off
tracked leaders, went 3rd after 8th, driven after 3 out, ridden after next, plugged on same pace, no chance with winner
tracked leaders, went 2nd at 8th, one pace 2 out, soon ridden, no chance with winner after
made most, driven clear from 2 out, stayed on well, comfortably
with winner on outside, mistake and lost place 8th, lost touch when ridden after 3 out, rallied to chase leaders before next, soon weakened, tailed off
FREDDIES PORTRAIT won over 3m in soft going in a point-to-point at Tinahely in March and he'll relish the longer trip after three runs over shorter over hurdles. He may be too strong for Sedgefield third Blake Dean, who is thoroughly exposed, and Turtle Cask. The latter was second over track and trip off this mark at the start of the year, however, and a repeat of that form would put him bang in the picture. Foot The Bill and Minella Hero have a bit to prove at present.
Minella Hero (IRE) 66-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, in rear from 2nd, pushed along 5 out, weakened next, 14th of 15, dist behind Harry Hunt (11-3) at Doncaster 3m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Freddies Portrait (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) With clear leader, led 2nd, ridden 2 out, headed next, kept on one pace, 3rd of 9, 6 3/4l behind Virnon (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 1f (4) hvy in Nov.
Blake Dean 3-1fav (10-5) With leader, ridden and outpaced after 3 out, stayed on before last, went 3rd run-in, 3rd of 8, 16 1/2l behind Mixboy (11-11) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Turtle Cask (IRE) 7-2fav (11-1) Tracked leaders, pushed along after 4 out, soon outpaced, 5th of 11, 37 3/4l behind Mac N Cheese (10-10) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Foot The Bill 14-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, pushed along 11th, weakened before 4 out, 6th of 11, 23 1/2l behind Aregra (10-3) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (5) gs in Dec.
