held up mid-division, weakened after 2 out
close up, pushed along 3 out, weakened before last
held up in touch, pushed along 3 out, every chance 2 out, ridden and not fluent last, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, led before 2 out, headed last, kept on and well held run-in
led to 1st, tracked leaders, weakened from 3 out
close up, led after 1st, ridden and headed before 2 out, weakened before last
held up mid-division, headway before 3 out, ridden before last, soon no extra
towards rear, pushed along before 3 out, soon weakened
held up mid-division, pushed along and lost place before 3 out
always towards rear, weakened before 3 out
held up mid-division, ridden before last, soon weakened
held up mid-division, headway before 3 out, led last, kept on well
held up mid-division, ridden before last, soon weakened
in touch, blundered badly 2nd, headway before 2 out, in 4th and one pace before last
It's possible that soft ground was to blame for I Just Know's poor run at Haydock but it's not certain that this big drop in trip will suit Sue Smith's ex-pointer. Call To Order and Shotofwine have both shown promise in bumpers so go on the short-list, along with Mister Kalanisi, but Winter Escape and Bandon Roc are both seeing a racecourse for the first time. DEAUVILLE DANCER won twice over this trip on the Flat and was last seen finishing a close-up sixth in the Irish November Handicap at Leopardstown. If he takes to hurdles he could be decent and can make a winning start.
Al Fatih (IRE) 13-2 (9-0) In touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 8th of 13, 11l behind Idol Deputy (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Baraza (FR) 25-1 (10-12) Close up, headway 4 out, ridden next, weakened last, 4th of 9, 24l behind Its'afreebee (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f (4) sft in Nov.
Call To Order Evensfav (11-0) Mid-division, headway over 6f out, ridden to chase winner over 2f out, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 14, 3/4l behind Penn Lane (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m (6) hvy in Nov.
Dalaki (IRE) 20-1 (9-13) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never a factor, 6th of 8, 21 1/4l behind Scarlet Minstrel (9-6) at Chelmsford City 1m 5f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Deauville Dancer (IRE) 20-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, 8th halfway, 5th approaching straight, ridden under 2f out and no impression in 7th 1f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 23, 3 1/2l behind Silver Concorde (9-1) at Leopardstown 1m 7f hcp gd in Oct.
Definitly Grey (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, pulled up, at Fontwell 2m 3f mdn (4) sft in Nov.
Fighting Back 50-1 (11-0) Behind, headway into mid-division after 4 out, outpaced next, never near leaders, 7th of 13, dist behind Seamour (11-5) at Wetherby 2m (4) sft in Dec.
I Just Know (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Tracked leader until hit 4 out, lost place next, 7th of 8, dist behind Vintage Clouds (10-12) at Haydock 2m 3f (3) sft in Nov.
Mister Kalanisi (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) In touch in rear, closed 5f out, ridden to press winner over 2f out until over 1f out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 7, 9l behind Compadre (11-4) at Bangor 2m 1f (6) sft in Nov.
Same Ole Trix (IRE) 66-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, hampered 1st, hit 3rd, brought down 4th, at Huntingdon 2m mdn (5) gs in Nov.
Shotofwine 11-2fav (11-3) Led, driven and headed over 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 8th of 11, dist behind Big River (11-3) at Kelso 2m (6) gs in Mar.
Temple Tiger 16-1 (11-2) Held up behind in touch, outpaced over 4f out, went modest 4th 3 out, no chance with leaders, tailed off, 4th of 7, dist behind Ryedale Racer (10-12) at Hexham 2m (6) hvy in May.
Tom Hall 20-1 (8-10) Chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, eased when no chance inside final furlong, 12th of 15, 10 1/2l behind Roly Tricks (9-12) at Brighton 1m 2f hcp (6) gs in Oct.
Top Set (IRE) 200-1 (10-12) Behind, under pressure after 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 7, dist behind Imperial Presence (10-12) at Kempton 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Winter Escape (IRE) Robin Des Pres gelding out of Saddleeruppat.
Midtech Valentine 50-1 (10-7) Jumped right towards rear, well beaten before 3 out, 8th of 14, 23 1/4l behind Banyu (11-0) at Ludlow 2m mdn (4) gs in Nov.
Pomme 50-1 (10-8) Rear division, pushed along over 5f out, never dangerous, 16th of 19, dist behind Hollies Pearl (11-0) at Aintree 2m 1f lst (1) gd in Apr.
Bandon Roc Shirocco gelding out of Azur.
