made most until ridden and headed approaching omitted last, kept on one pace, lost 2nd towards rear
close up, ridden and every chance 3 out, slightly outpaced next, rallied and stayed on to go 2nd towards finish
always in rear, weakened 4 out, tailed off
prominent, jumped right 6th and 3 out, soon ridden, weakened after 2 out, tailed off
raced wide in touch, headway to go prominent 5th, bumped next, hit 9th, ridden and weakened 2 out
close up, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out
in touch in rear, headway 4 out, ridden and every chance next, kept on one pace from next
held up, headway and close up 7th, hampered 3 out, chased leader next, ridden to lead before omitted last, ran on
raced wide tracked leaders, ridden 9th, lost place next
Todd pounced close home to justify market support over track and trip two weeks ago and Callum McKinnes’ claim takes care of a 3lb rise. But there are a few at the opposite end of the handicap who could make this interesting. Youknowell wasn’t beaten far at Leicester after winning at Plumpton while Minella Gathering won here last season off a 2lb higher mark. STRICTLYADANCER has been doing his best work at the finish over shorter trips the last twice. He should enjoy this stamina test and could be well handicapped. Roses Poses is equally unexposed while Aptly Put led for a long way at Huntingdon on Boxing Day and may also enjoy the step up to 3m.
Aptly Put (IRE) 10-1 (11-11) Led, ridden 3 out, headed next, kept on one pace, 4th of 14, 8 3/4l behind Daydream Aulmes (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Todd 9-4jfav (11-9) Tracked leaders, not fluent 3 out, headway to lead narrowly at last, driven out, won at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Dec beating Young Phoenix (10-7) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
The Geegeez Geegee (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders, ridden and dropped to last at 12th, kept on same pace, last of 5, 16l behind Militarian (11-12) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Roses Poses (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Held up mid-division, pushed along after 7th, weakened from 2 out, 5th of 11, 27 1/2l behind Dubh Des Champs (10-10) at Doncaster 3m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Silent Encore (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) Held up in mid-division, headway 4 out, soon outpaced, well beaten from 3 out, 5th of 10, 34 1/4l behind Sizing Cusimano (11-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Maggies Legend 16-1 (11-7) Mid-division, hard driven 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 5th of 9, 31 3/4l behind Zamoyski (11-12) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Youknowell (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Held up in last, headway when mistake and lost momentum 3 out, stayed on flat, not able to challenge, 3rd of 4, 1/2l behind Premier Rose (11-9) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (4) gf in Dec.
Strictlyadancer (IRE) 66-1 (10-6) Behind, struggling 3 out, ridden after next, stayed on past beaten rivals after last, never a threat, 7th of 13, 23 1/2l behind Master Work (11-7) at Warwick 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Minella Gathering (IRE) 9-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, struggling 4 out, stayed on after 2 out, never on terms, modest 4th, 4th of 10, 24 1/2l behind Deebaj (11-5) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.