edgy prior to start, held up towards rear, headway on outside before 3 out, weakened after next
never closer than mid-division, reminders after 5th, weakened before next
mid-division on inside, ridden and weakened soon after 6th
chased leaders, 3rd and one pace from 2 out
led until after 1st, chased winner until after 3 out, weakening when blundered next
held up towards rear, headway chasing leaders before 6th, 4th and one pace from 2 out
chased leaders on inside went 2nd after 3 out, ridden home turn, staying on and about 1 length down when awkward last, no extra run-in
held up towards rear, some headway on outside approaching 6th, weakened before next
never better than mid-division, weakened 6th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, pushed along before 3 out, weakened well before next
towards rear, some late minor headway, never involved
bit keen, led after 1st and set strong pace, went right 3rd, clear after 3 out, hit next, ridden home turn, about 1 length ahead last, went clear run-in
always behind, tailed off 6th, never a factor
Despite a lengthy absence, Sopat started favourite over 2m4f here 15 days ago. She finished tailed off but a return to a shorter trip should suit and she’ll strip fitter today. John Betjeman is 0-23 but was very well backed at Wincanton last month and only beaten half-a-length. Ripper Roo has won a point and was second in a bumper on his debut under Rules but it’s interesting to see I’M SO BUSY back over 2m. Sam Twiston-Davies could presumably have ridden George Of Naunton for his father but instead partner’s this former Jessica Harrington inmate, who will have needed his run at Uttoxeter. Swedishhorsemafia and Masteroftheheights are others worth a second look.
George Of Naunton (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) In rear throughout, never dangerous, 8th of 13, dist behind Lucky One (11-0) at Southwell 2m mdn (4) gs in Dec.
Go Pharisee Flyer (FR) 100-1 (11-0) Held up and always towards rear, tailed off, last of 16, dist behind Lecale's Article (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Gyllen (USA) 100-1 (10-12) Mid-division, pushed along 4 out, held after 3 out, 7th of 14, dist behind Boothill (10-12) at Taunton 2m (4) gs in Dec.
I'm So Busy 3-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, pushed along 3 out, weakened before next, 7th of 14, 31 3/4l behind Here Comes McCoy (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (4) sft in Nov.
John Betjeman 11-10fav (11-0) Led, ridden clear 2 out, kept on after last, caught on line, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Pol Crocan (11-0) at Wincanton 1m 7f mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Masteroftheheights (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Fell 1st, at Wincanton 1m 7f mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Ripper Roo (FR) 2-1fav (11-4) Chased leaders, ridden to dispute lead over 1f out, kept on closing stages, just lacked pace of winner final strides, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Without A Doubt (11-4) at Southwell 2m (5) gs in Dec.
Swedishhorsemafia (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) Led, headed briefly 7th, headed 3 out, ridden for effort before last, lost second flat, 3rd of 8, 19 1/2l behind C'Est Le Bonheur (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mdn (4) gd in Nov.
Thorn 50-1 (11-0) Chased leader, led after 4 out, dived at 3 out and headed, lost 2nd 2 out, soon ridden, weakened between last 2, 5th of 16, 28 3/4l behind Lecale's Article (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Just Once 50-1 (11-10) Held up, headway into midfield 3 out, pushed along 2 out, weakened approaching last, 13th of 15, dist behind Cremant (11-12) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp (5) gs in Nov.
Soloist (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Chased leader until after 1st, chased leaders, pushed along and weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off, last of 8, dist behind Champagne Terri (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 1f mdn fll (5) gd in Mar.
Sopat (IRE) 9-4fav (10-7) Keen close up, joined leader 3rd, led next, not fluent 3 out, ridden and headed next, soon weakened, hit last, 8th of 11, dist behind Diocletian (11-0) at Fakenham 2m 4f mdn (4) gs in Dec.
World Trip 80-1 (11-0) In rear, steady headway before 3 out, ridden and no impression before 2 out, 6th of 11, dist behind Balleticon (11-7) at Southwell 2m mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Yoyo (IRE) 33-1 (10-5) Tracked leader, disputed lead 2nd, led narrowly 3rd, headed 5th, dropped to 4th after 4 out, beaten when pushed after 3 out, last of 5, dist behind Guard Your Dreams (11-5) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f (4) sft in Nov.
