chased winner until 9th, mistake next and 4 out, mistake 3 out, weakened before 2 out
jumped well, made all, edged left flat, driven out
in touch in last pair, closed 11th, not fluent 4 out, 3rd 3 out, weakened before 2 out
chased leaders, went 2nd 9th, pushed along after 3 out, no impression on winner 2 out, stayed on, just held onto 2nd
in rear, not fluent 2nd, mistake 4th, closed 6th, pecked next, not fluent 16th, outpaced when not fluent 4 out, went 3rd before 2 out, edged left and stayed on flat, no impression on winner, just failed to get 2nd
NonRunner
Mortlach is 4-10 over fences but much more exposed than most of these and appears to have had limitations exposed lately. Beauport looked a smart recruit when beating experienced opposition at Carlisle but then failed to land the odds at Haydock. Thunder Rock is 2-2 over fences, however, but is elevated from handicap company along with Harper's Brook. MONMIRAL was no match for Jonbon at Warwick in November but meets nothing of that one’s calibre today so should go one better as The Real Whacker’s win here in the autumn came over 3m and against weaker opposition.
Beauport (IRE) 4-5fav (11-10) Led narrowly, hit 10th, mistake and headed 11th, not fluent 12th, 3 lengths behind when hit 4 out, soon pushed along, ridden and well held from before 2 out, 2nd of 3, 11l behind Ballygrifincottage (11-2) at Haydock 2m 6f (2) sft in Nov.
The Real Whacker (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Jumped well, made all, pressed last, one reminder and stayed on gamely to assert run-in, unchallenged, won at Cheltenham 3m (2) gd in Nov beating Indigo Breeze (11-2) by 3/4l, 5 ran.
Harper's Brook (IRE) 11-10fav (11-2) Jumped right on occasions, raced in last, hampered 2nd, going easily when joined leader approaching final fence, soon led, kept on well flat, won at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Nov beating Ubetya (11-2) by 1l, 5 ran.
Monmiral (FR) 11-4 (11-4) Disputed lead, headed after 2nd, pushed along after 3 out, soon outpaced, ran on same pace, not match winner, 2nd of 3, 7l behind Jonbon (11-4) at Warwick 2m (3) sft in Nov.
Thunder Rock (IRE) 7-4jfav (11-10) Chased leader, pecked 10th, challenged 2 out, soon led, came clear flat, comfortably, won at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Nov beating Solo (11-10) by 8 1/2l, 4 ran.
Mortlach 40-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, went 2nd between horses 13th, pushed along and lost 2nd turning in, weakened soon after, mistake 3 out, 3rd of 5, dist behind Thyme Hill (11-7) at Kempton 3m (1) sft in Dec.
