held up mid-division, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
pulled up, always behind, pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, effort after 4 out, soon weakened
in touch, weakened after 4 out
chased leaders, weakened approaching 4 out, pulled up before next
held up, effort after 4 out, soon weakened
held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden and hit 2 out, soon weakened
with leader, led after 5th, ridden approaching last, kept on
mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 3 out, no impression from next
chased leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
held up, effort approaching 3 out, no impression
held up behind, hit 3rd, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on and no impression from next
always behind, not fluent 2nd, never dangerous
led, not fluent 5th, soon headed, remained close up until weakened after 3 out
held up in touch, headway to chase leaders 4 out, hit next, soon ridden to chase winner, one pace
in touch, ridden and outpaced approaching 3 out, stayed on from next, no impression
Reel Missile is taken to see off the challenge of O'Toole in the finale, with Mistress Banjo and Terivic best of the rest. Reel Missile lowered the colours of the strongly-fancied Finely Tuned on his seasonal reappearance in a bumper at Fakenham in October when his strength and size helped gain him the day. He has been brought along steadily over hurdles since, putting in three good efforts, the latest of which was on his second visit to Fakenham where he was just touched off by Briery Fox, the pair clear. He needs to brush up his jumping but has the experience and and can go one better today. O'Toole is a similar sort and it will not be long before he opens his account judged on the evidence so far. Mistress Banjo was pulled up at Fontwell last time but has claims on her second to Lady Zephyr at Newbury in December, while Terivic needed his return when second at Towcester in January and is another future chaser in the making. They are the main players and it is Reel Missile that we return to as the answer.
Cantys Brig (IRE) 100-1 Led to 4th, chased leader, weakened approaching 4 out, behind when fell 2 out in race won by Borehill Joker at Catterick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-100 (F) gf in Dec, 12 ran.
Chamacco (FR) 20-1 Held up and keen, no impression approaching 2 out, 7th of 13, 45l behind Classic Capers at Catterick 2m 3f nh nov hdl (E) gs in Feb.
Drumbeater (IRE) 15-8fav Mid-division, headway over 6f out, ridden over 3f out, weakened final furlong, 3rd of 11, 22l behind Don And Gerry at Ludlow 2m nhf (H) gs in Jan.
Jolly Boy (FR) 7-4fav Prominent, ridden approaching 5th, weakened approaching 3 out pulled up at the last in race won by Field Roller at Exeter 2m 3f nov hdl (E) sft in Jan, 12 ran.
Kirby's Vic (IRE) 33-1 Chased leader, mistake and lost place 6th, weakened 7th, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Always Waining at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (C) sft in Feb, 8 ran.
Lord Rodney (IRE) 33-1 Held up towards rear, never dangerous, 5th of 14, 26l behind Supreme Leisure at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (E) sft in Jan.
Madgik de Beaumont (FR) 50-1 Held up, never dangerous, 11th of 20, 32l behind Bugle Major at Huntingdon 2m nhf (H) gd in Dec.
O'Toole (IRE) 9-4fav In rear, headway after 7th, ridden approaching 3 out, beaten when mistake 2 out, 3rd of 12, 25l behind Alderburn at Windsor 2m 4f nh mdn hdl (E) gs in Dec.
Reel Missile 7-2 Led, hit 2nd, mistake and ridden 2 out, not fluent last, headed and no extra run-in, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Briery Fox at Fakenham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (D) gd in Feb.
River Phantom (IRE) 25-1 Tracked leading pair from 3rd, mistake 2 out, weakened before last, 5th of 13, 19l behind Jair Ohmsford at Folkestone 2m 1f nov hdl (E) gs in Jan.
Robbie's Return 100-1 Always behind, 8th of 10, 36l behind Lord Brock at Leicester 2m 4f nov hdl (D) gs in Jan.
Saucy King 40-1 Always towards rear, 9th of 13, 26l behind Dont Call Me Derek at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (E) sft in Feb.
Tates Avenue (IRE) 20-1 In touch, lost place 5th, weakened after next, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Jack's Lad at Ludlow 2m nh mdn hdl (E) gs in Feb, 13 ran.
Taweell (IRE) 50-1 Held up in mid-division, mistake 5th, ridden 6th, soon weakened and pulled up 3 out in race won by Star Angler at Exeter 2m 3f nh nov hdl (E) gs in Feb, 15 ran.
Terivic 66-1 Led, headed approaching 4th, chased winner after, every chance 3 out, no impression on winner approaching next, 2nd of 16, 3 1/2l behind Noble Request at Towcester 2m nov hdl (D) gs in Jan.
Mistress Banjo 13-8fav Chased leaders, mistake 7th, ridden and weakened quickly after 3 out pulled up 3 out in race won by Inch Pride at Fontwell 2m 4f nh nov hdl (E) sft in Jan, 14 ran.
Mrs Ritchie 20-1 In touch, ridden 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 13, 42l behind Inch Pride at Towcester 2m mrs nov hdl (E) sft in Feb.
