behind, weakened before 5 out, tailed off
held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last
always towards rear
chased leaders, led before 3 out, clear before last, kept on and headed close home
held up towards rear, headway before 3 out,stayed on to lead close home
mid-division, pushed along before 5 out, weakened from 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, pushed along before 3 out, weakened before 2 out
mid-division, headway before 3 out, soon ridden, weakened before last
led and raced wide,headed 4 out, weakened from 3 out
held up mid-division, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened
in touch, pushed along before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last
tracked leaders, led before 3 out, soon headed, one pace in 4th before last
mid-division, pushed along before 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off, pulled up before 2 out
always towards rear, tailed off before 3 out
in touch, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last
mid-division, outpaced 4 out, went 3rd before last, kept on and no impression
held up mid-division, pushed along from 4 out, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
tracked leader, led 4 out, headed before 3 out, kept on same pace
in rear, pushed along 4 out, plugged on from next, never dangerous
This has attracted a huge field and looks wide-open. The returning Mantou and Aviator will enjoy the drying ground but the former will have his stamina to prove over this trip. The Artful Cobbler has another half-mile to cover having showed big improvement last time at Leicester but the in-form Whataknight should go well on his handicap debut while Shades Of Midnight, Shadarpour and Harry Hunt are also worth a second look. QUINTO steps up a grade after landing a novice event at Catterick but is having just his fourth start over timber and there are no stamina reservations. The handicapper has been fairly lenient so a big run is anticipated and he's preferred to the likes of Balmusette and Emerging Force.
Barafundle (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Tracked leader, quickly before 5 out, 7th of 10, 31l behind Baywing (11-0) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
Mantou (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway 5th, one pace last, weakened flat, 7th of 11, 11 3/4l behind Old Guard (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Balmusette 8-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, headway after 4 out, ridden next, weakened from 2 out, 6th of 11, 13 1/2l behind Zeroeshadesofgrey (11-12) at Doncaster 3m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Whataknight 2-1 (10-12) Made all, ridden run-in, kept on well, won at Taunton 3m (4) gs in Dec beating Rock On Oscar (10-12) by 2l, 14 ran.
Emerging Force (IRE) 7-4jfav (11-5) Raced wide, led until after 3rd, chased winner until before 2 out, no impression in 3rd when mistake 2 out, 3rd of 11, dist behind Charmix (11-5) at Newbury 2m 3f (4) sft in Dec.
Western Jo (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, weakened after 4 out, 10th of 13, 33 1/4l behind Lord Wishes (11-7) at Wetherby 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Aviator (GER) 15-2 (11-8) Mid-division, pushed along over 7f out, headway on inside over 5f out, chased leaders over 3f out, stayed on well closing stages, never able to challenge, 3rd of 16, 2l behind Bold Runner (11-4) at Goodwood 2m hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Shadarpour (IRE) 9-1 (11-9) Mid-division, pushed along and outpaced after 3 out, plugged from next, no threat, 5th of 13, 13 3/4l behind Masterplan (11-3) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Al Co (FR) 20-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and lost place 15th, weakened after next, 7th of 8, dist behind Perfect Candidate (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Harry Hunt 7-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway 5 out, chased leaders next, driven to challenge approaching last, kept on well closing stages, 2nd of 15, 3/4l behind Donna's Diamond (11-12) at Musselburgh 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Rendl Beach (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Prominent, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 7th of 16, 9 1/2l behind Pilgrims Bay (10-13) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Royal Native (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, not fluent 5th, ridden 11th, struggling 12th, went 3rd after last, 3rd of 7, 28 3/4l behind Fond Memory (11-3) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in May.
Walk On Al (IRE) 5-2fav (11-12) Towards rear, effort before 2 out, never dangerous, 7th of 12, dist behind Lady Of Longstone (11-9) at Kempton 3m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Zalgarry (FR) 8-1 (11-0) Held up in last trio, headway approaching 4 out, driven and went 2nd at the last, led run-in, headed last strides, 2nd of 8, hd behind Bygones Sovereign (10-8) at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Quinto 9-4 (11-2) Pressed leader after 2nd, led 4th, made rest, ridden after 2 out, 2 lengths advantage when hit last, kept on well flat, won at Catterick 3m 1f (4) sft in Jan beating Gully's Edge (11-2) by 3l, 5 ran.
Road To Freedom 7-1 (11-4) In touch, headway 3 out, ridden next, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 20l behind Minella Daddy (10-12) at Fakenham 2m 7f (4) sft in Jan.
The Artful Cobbler 8-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, challenging when pecked 6th, led before last, clear flat, stayed on well, won at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Feb beating Pilgrims Bay (11-8) by 13l, 8 ran.
I Just Know (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Prominent, weakened before 3 out, left in modest 3rd at last, kept on, 3rd of 7, 28 1/2l behind Its'afreebee (11-5) at Haydock 2m 3f (4) hvy in Dec.
Harvey's Hope 20-1 (11-12) Towards rear, fell 8th, at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Shades Of Midnight 7-2 (10-13) Held up towards rear, headway before 4 out to chase leaders, every chance 2 out, ridden after last, kept on and lost 2nd place towards finish, 3rd of 10, 5 3/4l behind Baywing (11-0) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
