held up, headway 2 out, ridden and kept on flat
close up, chased winner 3 out, ridden to lead last, headed towards finish
held up, headway 3rd, close up, ridden and jumped left 3 out, plugged on
in touch, headway 3 out, chased leading pair next, kept on same pace
towards rear, headway 5 out, ridden next, weakened 2 out
close up, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
led, headed 3rd, led again 4 out, ridden and headed last, rallied to lead again towards finish
soon towards rear, behind when pulled up 3 out
prominent, led 3rd, ridden and headed 4 out, weakened approaching last
close up, weakened 5 out, tailed off
towards rear, ridden 4 out, never on terms
towards rear, headway 4 out, weakened next
close up, ridden 3 out, plugged on
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened next
prominent, mistake 2nd, weakened 5 out, behind when pulled up 3 out
Patroclus, runner-up in his only start between the flags, started odds-on for his hurdling debut over 2m5f at Warwick but Jay Bee Why, who then went on to finish close-up in a Grade 2 on the same track, was too good for him. This could prove on the short side and preference is for ASTIGAR, whose head defeat by Solwara One in a bumper at Uttoxeter was boosted when the winner easily landed a novices' hurdle at Doncaster. Fletch was beaten 14 lengths into second on his hurdling bow at Southwell but lost a shoe so better is expected. Taste The Fear had his first start for Richard Newland at Uttoxeter just over a year ago and landed a Uttoxeter bumper while Sergeant O'leary caught the eye in a bumper here in October 2019 but is likely to need the run.
Alberts Monarch (IRE) 66-1 (11-2) Mid-division on inside, outpaced over 2f out, no chance after, 8th of 14, 7l behind City Derby (11-2) at Lingfield 2m (5) pol in Jan.
Astigar (FR) 3-1jfav (11-0) Held up towards rear, smooth progress over 3f out, disputed lead inside final furlong, just failed final strides, 2nd of 12, hd behind Solwara One (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m (5) gs in Nov.
Bembridge (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Held up in midfield, awkward 2nd, took closer order 3 out, ridden and weakened before 2 out, jumped left last, 5th of 13, 25l behind Annual Invictus (11-13) at Plumpton 2m (4) sft in Dec.
Brave Seasca (FR) 4-1 (11-0) In touch on inside, headway 3f out, soon ridden to chase winner, no chance from over 1f out, weakened and lost modest 3rd post, 4th of 5, 12 1/4l behind Mackenberg (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 1f (5) sft in Dec.
Fletch (FR) 25-1 (11-0) Held up, ridden after 3 out, headway to dispute fourth 2 out, left modest third at last, kept on run-in to take second close home, 2nd of 13, 14l behind Lucky One (11-0) at Southwell 2m mdn (4) gs in Dec.
Foillmore (IRE) (11-11) Rr of mid-div, mstk 5th, 8th 1/2way, mstks 9th & 10th, no impr & held in 8th well bef 2out, ko bhnd, 7th of 10, 20 1/2l behind Aki Bomaye (11-11) at Turtulla 3m mdn sft in Nov.
Joe Warbrick 150-1 (11-0) Mid-division, weakened before 4 out, tailed off, 12th of 16, dist behind Lecale's Article (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Patroclus (IRE) 4-5fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, raced keenly, challenged 3 out until 2 out, soon outpaced by winner, kept on, 2nd of 17, 9 1/2l behind Jay Bee Why (11-0) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Restless Brian Brian Boru gelding out of Restless Native.
Rod's Dream 150-1 (10-12) Mid-division, tracked leaders after 3 out, ridden home turn and weakened quickly before 2 out, well held, 9th of 14, dist behind Stellar Magic (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f (4) hvy in Dec.
Sergeant O'leary (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Held up, headway over 2f out, stayed on well, never nearer, 5th of 14, 9 1/4l behind Shinobi (10-12) at Exeter 1m 5f (5) gd in Oct.
Spotty Dog 150-1 (11-0) Not fluent 1st, rider soon having tack issues and pulled up before 2nd, at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (4) hvy in Jan.
Sweet Fab's 150-1 (11-5) Held up in chasing group, weakened 3 out, pulled up last, at Hereford 2m 4f mdn (4) hvy in Dec.
Taste The Fear (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Chased leader, led over 6f out, clear over 2f out, ridden out, never looked liked being caught despite dwindling advantage final 100 yards, won at Uttoxeter 2m (5) hvy in Dec beating Lightning Gold (10-7) by 1 1/2l, 5 ran.
Tip Top Mountain (IRE) 66-1 (11-5) Prominent, ridden and lost place after 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 10th of 16, 24 3/4l behind On To Victory (11-5) at Wincanton 1m 7f mdn (4) gs in Jan.
Toad Of Toad Hall 80-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway 3 out, no extra after 2 out, 4th of 10, 14 1/2l behind Pol Crocan (11-0) at Wincanton 1m 7f mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Presgrave (IRE) 80-1 (10-12) Mid-division, dropped back towards rear after 5th, pulled up before 3 out, at Taunton 2m (4) hvy in Dec.
Call Me Sainte (FR) 50-1 (10-12) Pulled hard in rear, ridden after last (usual 5th), no extra, 6th of 9, dist behind Progressive (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 1f mdn fll (4) hvy in Dec.
