kept wide, chased leaders, went 2nd at 4th, switched left before 2 out, led 2 out, clear when untidy last, stayed on well
raced keenly, tracked leader until after 2nd, chased leaders, pushed along before 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, one pace and no chance with winner
led, joined 3 out, hung right right before next, soon ridden, headed 2 out, lost 2nd and kept on same pace in 3rd, weakened into 4th run-in
off the pace in last pair, ridden and beaten after 3 out, tailed off
tracked leader after 2nd until 4th, chased leaders, pushed along after 4 out, plugged on into modest 3rd run-in
always behind, never a factor, tailed off
NonRunner
NonRunner
Natural History is probably back on a decent mark and, eased slightly in grade, looks a threat to all but collateral form gives him a bit to find with WICKED WEST, who has already shown a liking for this track and handled heavy going well enough at Lingfield last month. Howdyalikemenow finished unplaced off this mark on his handicap debut at Cheltenham but still has time on his side but Sabbathical seems better over fences nowadays.
Howdyalikemenow (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Prominent, lost place and weakened quickly approaching 2 out, rallied briefly after last, 13th of 18, 7 1/4l behind Mc Alpine (11-5) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Wicked West (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) In touch, closer over 2 out, ridden and closed before last, ran on well flat, 3rd of 7, 3l behind Hudson De Grugy (11-11) at Lingfield 2m hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Eamon An Cnoic (IRE) 28-1 (11-8) Chased leader, pushed along and dropped to rear home turn, tailed off, 9th of 11, dist behind Champagne Court (11-10) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Higgs (IRE) 11-4fav (11-7) Jumped right, led, headed 2 out, soon no impression on winner, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 12, 5 1/2l behind Imperial Elysian (11-6) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Sabbathical (FR) 2-1 (12-0) Chased leaders, keen early, pushed along after 3 out, outpaced and held in 3rd before last, kept on flat, 3rd of 6, 4l behind Major Snugfit (10-10) at Southwell 2m hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Sirop De Menthe (FR) 16-1 (10-9) Took keen hold, held up in rear, behind 3 out, tailed off, last of 7, dist behind Mount Windsor (12-2) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Mar.
Natural History 9-1 (10-1) Raced keenly in last pair, never involved, 6th of 9, 17 3/4l behind Tommy's Oscar (11-12) at Doncaster 2m 1f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Applesandpierres (IRE) 25-1 (12-2) Raced wide tracked leaders, pushed along and hit 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 10, 31 3/4l behind Lady Tremaine (11-12) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f hcp (5) sft in Dec.