held up, headway 5 out, weakened after 4 out
prominent, led 4 out, under pressure last, kept on well
held up, headway 5 out, went 2nd 3 out, upsides last, no extra final 100 yards
held up, headway 5 out, kept on same pace from 3 out
chased leaders, led 6th, headed 4 out, weakened 2 out
behind, kept on approaching 3 out, never troubled leaders
held up, headway 5 out, kept on from 3 out
chased leader, weakened from 5 out
chased leaders, weakened 4 out
led to 6th, soon weakened
Nonrunner
A competitive contest which can go to DOCTOR DAVID although I'msingingtheblues and Killmackilloge are obvious players. Caroline Bailey's charge has gone from strength to strength and he lowered the colours of Kalahari King at Haydock in some style. The track should suit and it's only a question of whether the handicapper has done his sums. I'msingingtheblues is one of a strong hand from Paul Nicholls' stable. Available at decent prices for the Arkle, his handler has made no secret in the regard he is held at home. Killmackilloge won well at Wetherby last time out but the suspicion is that he could be best fresh as he has failed to follow up next time out when this has occured in the past. Andreas has campaigned in the top grade for a significant amount of time. He has each-way claims off what is likely to be a strong pace. Medicinal was somewhat inconsistent when trained by Eddie O'Grady though obliged in a modest Haydock Park handicap. This is something of a steep rise in grade. Oneway is now in the autumn of his career though produced a better effort at Ascot over this trip. I'm So Lucky holds plenty of festival entries and a perusal of his form suggests that he is able of acting on any surface. Ferdy Murphy has made headlines for the wrong reasons this week so Three Mirrors will prove a welcome distraction for the handicap king. A solid renewal in which Doctor David looks best.
Andreas (FR) 15-2 (11-7) Held up, headway after 7th, jumped left from 8th, weakened after 9th, 5th of 8, well behind Jack The Giant (11-1) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs (2) gd in Nov.
I'msingingtheblues (IRE) 1-2fav (11-5) Made all, ridden 2 out, stayed on well from last, won at Doncaster 2m nov chs (3) gd in Dec beating Calgary Bay (10-13) by 1l, 4 ran.
Doctor David 9-4 (11-4) Tracked leader, led 6th, clear after 2 out, won at Haydock 2m nov chs (3) sft in Dec beating Kalahari King (11-8) by 17l, 5 ran.
Medicinal (IRE) 9-2fav (11-5) Mid-division, headway after 5 out, hit 3 out, led next, hit last, stayed on well, won at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Nov beating Something Wells (11-1) by 3 1/2l, 14 ran.
I'm So Lucky 7-1 (11-10) Chased leading pair, chased winner 6th, ridden before 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 5, 7l behind Planet of Sound (11-0) at Newbury 2m 2f nov chs (3) gs in Dec.
Three Mirrors 7-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders 4 out, still in touch approaching 2 out, weakened after 2 out, 5th of 14, 18l behind Stan (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs.
Clew Bay Cove (IRE) 14-1 (10-1) Held up in rear, progress into 6th 2 out, ridden into 4th last, no extra run-in, 6th of 10, 10l behind Schindlers Hunt (11-4) at Leopardstown 2m 5f hcp chs gs.
Oneway (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, led 2 out, ridden and headed last, no extra, 2nd of 13, 3l behind Master Medic (11-5) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Dec.
Locksmith 18-1 (11-0) With leader early, went 3rd approaching 4 out, chased winner approaching 2 out, no impression, 3rd of 9, 19l behind Santa's Son (11-6) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs (2) sft in Dec.
Lord Jay Jay (IRE) 22-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders and keen, weakened approaching 7 out, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Nacarat (11-9) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-140 (2) sft, 12 ran.
Kilmackilloge 9-2 (11-11) Chased leaders, led 4th, clear from 6th, 5 lengths up when blundered badly 2 out, ridden after last, stayed on well, won at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov beating Norborne Bandit (10-7) by 3l, 8 ran.
Ela Re 25-1 (11-1) Soon with leader, led after 4th, headed 5 out, soon weakened, 7th of 12, 18l behind Issaquah (10-10) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
