chased leaders on outside, reminders 11th, outpaced when hit 5 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, not fluent 2nd, closed 5th, outpaced by front pair from 4 out, 7 lengths 3rd when fell last
jumped well, made all, slowed slightly into last, stayed on well, ridden out
chased leaders, blundered and unseated rider 4th
chased leaders, outpaced 4 out, weakened next, left 3rd last
tracked winner, every chance briefly just after last, held final 100 yards, stayed on
mistakes, raced in last, went remote 5th when fell 4 out
ASK ME EARLY (NAP) made all and found more when challenged on his chasing debut over track and trip five weeks ago. He’s a real mud-lark and, with plenty more to come, looks capable of defying a 6lb rise and confirming that form with Good And Hardy. Highland Hunter has to be of interest now tackling fences with a similar comment applying to Corinto and Golden Sovereign. Nikap and Hold That Taught run well again without being quite good enough but The Wolf may struggle under his big weight.
The Wolf (FR) 9-4 (11-5) Midfield, slow 3rd, chased leader 4th, not fluent 13th, ridden before 4 out, lost place 3 out, no extra, 5th of 7, 17 1/2l behind L'Air Du Vent (11-0) at Exeter 3m (3) sft in Nov.
Highland Hunter (IRE) 7-1 (10-4) Held up in touch, ridden after 4 out, in contention when hampered by faller 3 out, driven to press leaders last, kept on flat, 3rd of 17, 4 1/2l behind Main Fact (11-4) at Haydock 3m hcp (1) sft in Nov.
Ask Me Early (IRE) 9-4fav (10-10) Made all, led narrowly, not fluent 4th, pressed and ridden along 3 out and 2 out (usually 4 out and 3 out), led narrowly last (usually 2 out), kept on gamely when driven out run-in, won at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) hvy in Dec beating Lord Napier (11-6) by 5 1/2l, 7 ran.
Good And Hardy (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Towards rear, closer after the 7th, tracked leaders before 4 out (usually 5 out), ridden after 3 out (usually 4 out), stayed on but well held, 4th of 7, 8 1/4l behind Ask Me Early (10-10) at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Golden Sovereign (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, well behind 15th, pulled up before 4 out, at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Hold That Taught 4-1 (10-11) Held up on outside, improved before 15th, not fluent 16th, held in 4th when switched right after 2 out, went 3rd last, one pace, 3rd of 7, 8 3/4l behind Demachine (11-6) at Ascot 3m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Nikap (FR) 11-2 (11-11) Held up in rear, mistake 8th, headway 12th, pecked 4 out, left 2nd 2 out, no impression on winner and lost 2nd flat, kept on, 3rd of 11, 7 1/2l behind Madera Mist (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Corinto (IRE) 9-1 (11-9) Held up, headway 3 out, pressed leader next, led last, ridden out, won at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Dec beating Big Penny (11-12) by 5l, 7 ran.
