mid-division, headway after 3 out, went 2nd before last, every chance flat, held final 100 yards, stayed on
held up in rear, headway on outside approaching 2 out, ridden and one pace in 4th before last, no impression after
held up in rear, well beaten after 2 out
held up towards rear, headway on inside after 7th, lost place before 2 out, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden after 2 out, 5th and no impression before last, no extra
tracked leader, led briefly 2 out, 3rd and unable to quicken last, switched left flat, no extra final 75 yards
not fluent, made virtually all, mistake 2 out, pressed flat, stayed on and in command final 100 yards
mid-division, took keen hold, closed 3rd but soon steadied, effort after 3 out, lost place after 2 out
Springtown Lake was no match for the potentially-smart On The Blind Side in a Grade 2 at Sandown last month but was clear of the remainder and will probably take some catching here if allowed an easy lead. WHATMORE ran well in this grade at Haydock last time, however, and is a viable alternative as the step up in trip should suit. Sandown winner Ainchea remains unexposed but the form of his yard is a concern while Onefortheroadtom was beaten at Worcester in November when long odds-on. Tikkanbar won by 19 lengths over this trip at Plumpton and could be anything but Aye Aye Charlie looked beaten when falling here last time.
Ainchea (IRE) 11-4 (10-12) Held up in touch, jumped right 1st and 2nd, driven and headway on inside to lead approaching 2 out, soon challenged, ran on strongly, won at Sandown 2m (3) gs in Dec beating Whatswrongwithyou (10-12) by 1l, 6 ran.
Aye Aye Charlie 40-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, close up when fell 3 out, at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) gs in Nov.
My Charity (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden 3 out, one pace and beaten next, no extra in 3rd before last, 3rd of 11, 20l behind Enniscoffey Oscar (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 5f (4) gs in Dec.
Ollie Vaar 16-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, went 3rd briefly after 2 out, no impression on leaders and no extra in 4th when awkward last, 4th of 8, 23 1/2l behind Kalashnikov (11-4) at Doncaster 2m 1f (4) gs in Dec.
Onefortheroadtom 2-5fav (11-4) Held up in touch in mid-division, headway after 5th, shaken up 3 out, ridden after 2 out, pressing leaders flat, held towards finish, stayed on, 3rd of 10, 1/2l behind Pointed And Sharp (10-12) at Worcester 2m (4) sft in Nov.
Springtown Lake (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Led, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 7, 9l behind On The Blind Side (11-5) at Sandown 2m 4f (1) gs in Dec.
Tikkanbar (IRE) 5-6fav (10-12) Chased leader, pecked 1st, led next, made rest, clear when hit 3 out, well in command when hung left after 2 out, easily, won at Plumpton 2m 5f (4) gs in Nov beating Landin (11-5) by 19l, 8 ran.
Whatmore 11-4 (11-0) Held up in 4th, tracked leaders after 4 out, ridden and one pace after 2 out, kept on under pressure flat, not quite reach leaders, 4th of 7, 1 1/4l behind Delire D'estruval (11-0) at Haydock 2m lst (1) hvy in Nov.
