made all, ridden and ran on gamely
tracked winner, ridden 2 out, effort next, stayed on flat
tracked leaders, not fluent 6th, slow next, ridden 3 out, weakened next
Master Of Finance beat three rivals over the course and distance in June but was well beaten at Southwell later and also in two recent runs over timber on this track. Darebin never looked like winning at Huntingdon but snatched the prize close home when the winner stopped dramatically on the long run-in. His rider's claim will be a big help here though ONTOPOFTHEWORLD is handed the vote. Peter Bowen's charge is only moderate but managed to complete a hat-trick on good ground in the autumn and has come up against better opposition in recent starts.
Ontopoftheworld (IRE) 11-10fav (10-11) Led, pushed along after 9th, ridden before 4 out, jumped right 3 out, not fluent and headed last, no impression flat, 2nd of 3, 5l behind Raise A Spark (11-11) at Ayr 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Darebin (GER) 7-4fav (12-0) Held up in last pair, awkward 4 out, ridden in 3rd before 2 out, over 5 lengths down and looked held last, closed on idling leader to lead last 100 yards, won going away, won at Huntingdon 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov beating Sad Eyed Dylan (11-12) by 2l, 5 ran.
Master Of Finance (IRE) 6-1 (11-9) Held up, closed 2nd, every chance 2 out, weakened before last, 6th of 8, 16 1/4l behind Jacbequick (11-9) at Fakenham 2m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
