led until ridden and headed 3 out, jumped right 2 out, switched left approaching last, ran on flat, not reach winner
prominent, hit 5th, ridden 12th, lost place 13th, weakened 15th
chased leader, reminder 11th, led on bit 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, in command last, idled flat, just held on
in touch, headway 13th, ridden and chased leaders 15th, lost touch 2 out
held up last, reminder after 4th, blundered badly and pulled up quickly after 6th, dismounted
Crystal D'Ainay would need binoculars to see this lot trailing in his wake when at his peak, but those days are gone for him and Minella Tipperary is taken to land the prize, with Go Johnny respected. The selection was in the process of running a good race against the progressive Joe Lively when tipping up at Newbury and provided there are no such mishaps here the form of his previous course win here suggests he will be good enough. Go Johnny has not yet shown he handles cut to well and makes his chasing debut after a hurdles win at Carlisle on good ground. Victor Dartnall will have him well schooled and if he does go on the ground this time then a feather weight on his back can help him get competitive. The Outlier has been in the grip of the handicapper but is now only 4lb above his last win, and the classy Eric's Charm loves this ground and a trip, and after swerving a couple of recent engagements for this he is also very capable of going close. However, we have to pick one and that one is Minella Tipperary.
Eric's Charm (FR) 33-1 (10-3) Led, headed 11th, weakened 4 out, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Millenium Royal (11-12) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl (2) gs in Nov, 18 ran.
The Outlier (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Held to 8th, chased leaders until weakened 5 out, 11th of 15, well behind Harmony Brig (10-12) at Newcastle 3m lst hcp chs (1) gs.
Crystal d'Ainay (FR) 33-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, under pressure 4 out, soon struggling and behind, 5th of 7, 45l behind Inglis Drever (11-8) at Newbury 3m hdl Grd 2 (1) gs.
Minella Tipperary (IRE) 4-1 (11-9) Tracked leader, still there when blundered and unseated rider 5 out in race won by Joe Lively (11-9) at Newbury 3m nov chs Grd 2 (1) gs, 4 ran.
Go Johnny (IRE) 9-1 (11-1) Close up, led 4 out, not fluent and headed last, rallied and regained lead near finish, won at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Nov beating Caipiroska (10-2) by a nk, 18 ran.
