chased leader, led before 3 out, ridden when not fluent last, hard pressed flat, found more to hold 2nd towards finish
chased leaders, went 2nd 3 out, ridden after 2 out, every chance flat, held towards finish
not always fluent, led, clear before 2nd, reduced lead 3rd, headed before 3 out, 4th and held last
held up towards rear, pulled hard, modest 8th 3 out, no chance
mid-division, some headway before 3 out, no impression from next, kept on
chased leaders, lost place on inside after 5th, well beaten before 3 out, tailed off
mid-division, not much room bend after 1st, headway before 3 out, 3rd when mistake 2 out, mistake last, edged right towards finish, stayed on
chased leaders, not fluent 1st, soon lost place, not fluent 2nd, well beaten before 3 out, tailed off
mid-division, closed before 3rd, lost place 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, stayed on from 2 out, never near leaders
Witness Protection was probably a bit unlucky when beaten at Wetherby after winning at Stratford but won’t find this easy on the ground under his penalty. Easy As That was brushed aside in a maiden at Bangor but his jumping left plenty to be desired and he is probably better than that. Winning pointer Neon Moon goes hurdling after just one run in a bumper but may need further. A mistake two out ended the challenge of CAN YOU CALL here last month but he’d run well up to that point and should be a factor in this with a clear round. Harry Fry’s pair Revels Hill and Imperial Esprit look best of the rest.
Witness Protection (IRE) Evensfav (11-4) Tracked leaders, going easily before 2 out, led narrowly approaching last, no extra and headed final strides, 2nd of 11, hd behind Fern Hill (11-4) at Wetherby 2m 5f (4) sft in Dec.
Can You Call 11-4 (10-12) Pulled hard and disputed lead, tracked leaders after 3rd, outpaced when ridden after 3 out, mistake 2 out, weakened run to the last, no more, 4th of 11, 16 1/2l behind Slip Road (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 3f (4) hvy in Dec.
Easy As That (IRE) 11-10fav (11-0) Not jump well and many mistakes, tracked leader, dropped to 4th at 3rd, headway 4 out, pressed winner next, soon ridden and outpaced by winner approaching last, 2nd of 4, 10l behind Any News (11-0) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f mdn (4) sft in Nov.
Imperial Esprit (IRE) 6-4 (11-0) Raced keenly, chased leading pair, tracked leader after 2nd until 6th, pushed along after 8th, weakened next, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, at Plumpton 2m 5f mdn (4) hvy in Dec.
Neon Moon (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Midfield, ridden and some headway turning for home, one pace from 2f out, 4th of 10, 5 3/4l behind Firestep (11-0) at Southwell 2m (5) gs in Nov.
Paddy's Return (IRE) Ocovango gelding out of Witneses Daughter.
Revels Hill (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Led, headed before 5 out, still in touch 3 out where not fluent, soon weakened, 6th of 12, 20 3/4l behind Midnight River (11-4) at Leicester 2m 4f (3) sft in Nov.
Sheldon (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, ridden to challenge over 2f out, kept on well from over 1f out, 4th of 12, 3 3/4l behind Gelino Bello (11-2) at Plumpton 2m 2f (5) sft in Dec.
Thundersockssundae (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Always rear-division, never a factor, tailed off, 11th of 16, dist behind Lecale's Article (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Valentine's Turf (FR) 250-1 (11-0) Towards rear, ridden along and outpaced approaching 3 out, never involved, 11th of 16, 26 1/2l behind Long Stay (11-0) at Ludlow 2m mdn (4) gs in Nov.
Whatya On About Schiaparelli gelding out of Grace Dieu.
Brave Gozzy (BEL) 40-1 (11-7) Held up in midfield, ridden after 3 out and lost ground, well beaten 2 out, well beaten when fell last, at Southwell 2m mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Gastara 15-2 (10-12) Held up in rear, took keen hold, headway approaching 3 out, weakened before next, 6th of 12, 25 1/4l behind The Grey Falco (10-12) at Chepstow 2m (4) hvy in Nov.
