tracked leaders on inside, took keen hold, lost place before 7th, behind when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, closed before 7th, struggling 3 out, weakened next
tracked leaders, challenging when not fluent 2 out, soon led, driven clear towards finish
in touch, pushed along after 4th, lost place before next, pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, struggling before 6th, pulled up before 3 out
prominent, led 2nd until 5th, led next, headed after 2 out, stayed on same pace flat
held up towards rear, headway on outside 5th, one pace 2 out, no extra flat
held up in mid-division, headway before 5th, lost place when not fluent 3 out
led until 2nd, led 5th, headed next, outpaced before 3 out, stayed on flat, no impression
tracked leaders, took keen hold, lost place 3 out, not fluent next
held up towards rear, took keen hold, not fluent 4th, well beaten 7th
tracked leaders on outside, pushed along after 4th, every chance 3 out, stayed on same pace flat
held up towards rear, struggling before 5th, behind when pulled up before 3 out
always behind
This looks a decent contest for the prize money. Buckhorn Timothy has been keeping decent company and should find a similar contest before long. There will be a plenty of interest in Paul Nicholls' Alistair as he makes his debut under Rules while Local Show was a well-backed favourite at Taunton 12 days ago, though stablemate Millanisi Boy appears to have similar claims on the form book. NITROGEN was very green when beaten by Brandon Hill over further here last month but still finished ahead of Onderun and will know more today. He can go one better today as Robbie Rabbit might do better in handicaps and Blackthorn Prince will probably need more time.
Alistair (IRE) 4-1 (12-2) Rcd 2nd, eff to chall last, not get to wnr but kow, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Paddy The Deejay (12-2) at Maralin 3m ire ptp in Nov.
Blackthorn Prince 14-1 (11-0) Took keen hold, held up towards rear, jumped right 2nd, closed after 4th, lost place after 4 out, well beaten when left 4th and jumped right 2 out, 4th of 10, 32l behind Private Malone (11-0) at Worcester 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs in Oct.
Buckhorn Timothy 7-2 (11-0) Chased leading pair, went 2nd 5th until 7th, chased leaders, pushed along before 2 out, challenged between last 2, disputing lead approaching last and every chance run-in until no extra final 150 yards, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Desilvano (11-0) at Ascot 2m 6f NH mdn hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Digger's Mate 66-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, not fluent and rider lost iron briefly 1st, reminders after 3rd, pushed along before 4th, weakened soon after, 15th of 16, well behind Souriyan (10-4) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn hdl (5) gs.
Grissom (FR) 66-1 (10-5) Held up in rear when blundered and unseated rider 3rd, in a race won by Book Of Excuses (10-12) at Worcester 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jul, 4 ran.
Local Show (IRE) 2-1fav (10-9) Chased leaders until blundered and unseated rider 4th, in a race won by Rathlin Rose (10-12) at Taunton 3m mdn hdl (5) sft, 7 ran.
Millanisi Boy 100-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 4 out, soon ridden, edged left and kept on same pace flat, 3rd of 16, 3 1/2l behind Sidbury Hill (10-5) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Mr Blue Nose 50-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, weakened bypassing omitted 3 out, 5th of 13, 26l behind Aso (11-4) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Nitrogen (IRE) 5-4fav (11-0) Took keen hold, held up in 6th, headway into 4th when mistake 7th, 3rd when went left 3 out, chased winner next, driven between last two, kept on same pace flat, 2nd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Brandon Hill (11-0) at Exeter 2m 7f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Onderun (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Held up in 5th, pushed along and went 2nd 3 out until 2 out, kept on same pace in 3rd, 3rd of 9, 5l behind Brandon Hill (11-0) at Exeter 2m 7f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Out On Business (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Held up, green and in rear after 4f, well beaten final 6f, 9th of 14, 50l behind Missed Approach (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) gs in Oct.
Robbie Rabbit (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, not fluent and reminder 5th, went 2nd 2 out, stayed on, unable to challenge, 2nd of 14, 1 1/4l behind Stilletto (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Spillers Dream (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, weakened 6f out, tailed off, last of 14, well behind Pengo's Boy (11-2) at Taunton 2m 1f NH flat (5) gs in Nov.
Kavestorm 200-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, struggling before 3 out, tailed off, 13th of 14, well behind Vago Collonges (11-5) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft.
