in touch, ridden and weakened before 4 out
always behind
tracked leader, led 10 out, going well when left clear from 4 out, held on well towards finish
mid-division, pushed along and weakened before 5 out
tracked leader, reminders before 11 out, pushed along 8 out, kept on to take 3rd towards finish
mid-division, headway before 5 out, went 3rd before 3 out, kept on and lost 3rd place towards finish where no extra
led to 10 out, ridden and lost 2nd place from 5 out, left in 2nd next, ridden before 2 out, kept on and held towards finish
tracked leaders in 3rd, weakened before 5 out
in touch, chased winner from 5 out until about 3 lengths down in second place when fell 4 out
towards rear, headway before 5 out, weakened before 4 out
Nonrunner
BINGE DRINKER beat the brilliant Mighty Bite on his only run over fences in November of last year. He hasn’t raced since but fitness is rarely a problem for one from his yard and the talented Bryony Frost takes off a valuable 5lb - the Nicholls’ entry has already won a bumper and a hurdle around here. Wild West Wind lost his unbeaten record over fences behind Label Des Obeaux at Exeter in February but that was no disgrace. Also unexposed, he should go well if fully wound-up. Shotgun Paddy, Bob Ford and Buachaill Alainn are stout stayers who have already won around here while Blameitalonmyroots ran a nice race on his return to action at Carlisle and isn’t out of this.
Binge Drinker (IRE) 11-4 (11-2) Tracked leader, hit 9th and lost ground, ridden 4 out, closed next, every chance next, led approaching last, ran on, won at Ffos Las 2m 3f (4) gd in Nov beating Might Bite (11-2) by 4l, 3 ran.
Buywise (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Always behind, 8th of 9, 25 3/4l behind Dashing Oscar (11-0) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Wild West Wind (IRE) 11-8jfav (11-8) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, went 2nd and mistake 7th, went left 12th, ridden after 4 out, lost modest 2nd next, regained 2nd 2 out, no chance with winner, no extra in 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 5, 5l behind Label Des Obeaux (11-11) at Exeter 3m hcp (3) gs in Feb.
Shotgun Paddy (IRE) 13-2 (10-0) Mid-division, headway 17th, 4th when blundered and lost place 4 out, behind from next, 5th of 8, 23 1/4l behind Perfect Candidate (10-12) at Cheltenham 3m 3f hcp (1) sft in Nov.
Milansbar (IRE) 10-1 (12-1) Prominent, weakened from 12th, 6th of 9, 6 1/2l behind Delusionofgrandeur (11-12) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Ballycross 11-1 (10-5) Always behind, struggling 12th, soon lost touch, pulled up before 15th, at Ascot 3m hcp (1) gd in Nov.
Alfie Spinner (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, weakened 5 out, behind when pulled up after next, at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp lst (1) sft in Nov.
Streets Of Promise (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Mid-division, headway to lead before 5th, headed before 4 out, 3rd and beaten 3 out, 3rd of 9, 21l behind The Bay Oak (11-2) at Ffos Las 3m 4f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Bob Ford (IRE) 11-8fav (11-12) Chased leaders, went left 5th, outpaced 16th, plugged on into modest 5th 2 out, 5th of 9, 16l behind Jennys Surprise (10-13) at Uttoxeter 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Blameitalonmyroots (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, no impression after, 6th of 15, 15 1/4l behind Harry The Viking (11-3) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Buachaill Alainn (IRE) 20-1 (11-6) Chased leaders to 4th, behind from 6th, struggling when hampered 9th, soon lost touch, continued well tailed off until pulled up before 16th, at Haydock 3m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
