led 1st to 4th, with leader, hit 3 out, soon pushed along, led 2 out, soon ridden, 1 length clear when ran out last
prominent until weakened just before 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before last
held up in touch, pushed along 8th, ridden and outpaced 3 out, left 2nd last, rallied flat, not reach winner
held up mid-division, niggled along after 7th, behind from 8th, tailed off
held up mid-division, hit 6th, pushed along and effort after 8th, weakened 3 out
held up towards rear, pushed along and lost touch approaching 3 out, tailed off
always in rear, reminders after 3rd, mistake 7th, tailed off when pulled up after 2 out
prominent until pushed along and weakened approaching 3 out
always in rear, pushed along and lost touch after 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up mid-division, improved 5th, pushed along and weakened 3 out
led to 1st, with leader, led 4th, pushed along and headed 2 out, ridden when slightly hampered and left in lead last, all out
Another decent contest but the in-form Kansas City Chief has gone up a further 4lb since second at Huntingdon. Bryden Boy is also a course and distance winner but another in the veteran stage now, though he’s placed twice since successful at Sedgefield in November. Toi Storey got back to winning ways at Catterick in December but regular pilot Conor O’Farrell gets off him to partner the up-and-coming RATH AN IUIR (NAP). Rose Dobbin’s former pointer had the proverbial ton in hand when beating better-fancied rivals in a Newcastle novice event on only his second start under Rules and should have plenty more to offer. Off The Hook, River Arrow, and Shantung would all have each-way claims.
Kansas City Chief (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Prominent in chasing group, left challenging 2 out, led last, driven flat, headed close home, 2nd of 14, hd behind Phoenix Way (11-4) at Huntingdon 3m 1f hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Printing Dollars (IRE) 25-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, ridden when slightly hampered 2 out, soon beaten, 8th of 14, 15 1/4l behind Phoenix Way (11-4) at Huntingdon 3m 1f hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Rath An Iuir (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, driven to challenge 3 out, led after next, stayed on well, won at Newcastle 2m 6f (4) sft in Dec beating Orrisdale (11-5) by 5l, 5 ran.
Bryden Boy (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) In touch in mid-division, effort 3 out, 3rd last, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 13, 4 1/2l behind Teescomponentstrig (11-1) at Newcastle 3m hcp (4) sft in Jan.
River Arrow 16-1 (10-10) Held up in mid-division, effort after 2 out, held by leaders last, kept on, 4th of 16, 12l behind Dame De Compagnie (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Toi Storey (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Held up in touch, went 2nd and poised to challenge after 2 out (usual 3 out), led before last (usual 2 out), driven clear before omitted last, eased towards finish, won at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Peter's Portrait (11-6) by 12l, 11 ran.
Jefferson Davis (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Held up in touch, headway and in touch on outside after 7th, outpaced by front pair when blundered 2 out, soon ridden, lost place last, no extra, 5th of 7, 11 1/2l behind Three Colours Red (11-9) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp (4) gd in May.
Off The Hook (IRE) 5-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, went 4th flat, stayed on same pace, 4th of 13, 7l behind Teescomponentstrig (11-1) at Newcastle 3m hcp (4) sft in Jan.
I'm A Starman 20-1 (10-9) Held up in touch, headway 8th (usual 12th), lost place last (usual 5 out), never able to get back on terms, weakened on extended run-in, 4th of 5, 28 1/4l behind Chapel Stile (11-7) at Carlisle 2m 5f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Shantung (IRE) 10-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, mistake 7th, some headway before 2 out, no impression, well held last, 5th of 6, 7l behind Golden Sovereign (11-7) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Shah An Shah 33-1 (11-1) Chased leader, led before 2nd, headed after 3 out, no extra in 3rd close home, 3rd of 14, 3l behind Sermando (11-6) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
