held up in touch, lost place 3 out, headway before last, stayed on well closing stages, never a threat
tracked leaders, every chance 2 out, led before last, stayed on well (4 hurdles ommited)
in touch, headway 3 out, weakened before next
led until 3rd, remained prominent, mistake 3 out, weakened before next, rallied closing stages, never a threat
with leader, led 3rd, headed before 2 out, rallied after last, never reached winner
held up in rear but in touch, headway after 3 out, soon weakened
held up in rear, headway 3 out, led before next, headed approaching last, weakened flat
Nonrunner
Veripek's run in the first may be a pointer to the chances of Tambura, who beat him in a bumper here in November and got off the mark over hurdles at Uttoxeter 12 days ago. Belmount bids to follow up his Warwick victory under a penalty but Premier Portrait reverted to type last time and Try It Sometime and Jaunty Inflight have had their limitations exposed recently. Golden Milan returns from a lengthy absence so this may be best left to the in-form GILZEAN. He's a thorough stayer and may still be improving, despite his age.
Belmount (IRE) 11-4 (11-12) Held up in rear, slightly hampered 3rd, headway after 7th, went 2nd from 4 out, challenged 2 out, soon led, driven out, won at Warwick 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy beating Madame Allsorts (10-7) by 1l, 8 ran.
Golden Milan (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) Prominent until 2nd, tracked leaders, challenged 8th, soon led, headed next, weakened from 3 out, tailed off, 5th of 7, well behind Shantou Tiger (11-0) at Uttoxeter 3m mdn hdl (4) gs in May.
Gilzean (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Held up, headway 3 out, chase leading pair next, ridden and stayed on to lead near finish, won at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs beating Bostin (11-7) by 1l, 8 ran.
Premier Portrait (IRE) 20-1 (11-9) Mid-division, lost place 3rd, not fluent next or 5th, behind from 8th, pulled up before 14th, in a race won by Carli King (11-9) at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd, 14 ran.
Tambura 7-2 (11-5) Held up, headway to chase leader 7th, led well before 3 out, clear from last, stayed on well, won at Uttoxeter 3m (5) sft beating Young Cheddar (11-3) by 15l, 9 ran.
Try It Sometime (IRE) 9-2 (10-11) Mid-division, lost place 6th, ridden and weakened before 4 out, tailed off, 5th of 8, well behind Rascal (11-12) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
Jaunty Inflight 7-2fav (11-1) Held up in rear, some headway when hit 3 out, no impression, mistake and weakened next, 6th of 7, 34l behind Verano (11-11) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hcp 0-115 (4) sft.
Duke Of Monmouth (IRE) 9-4fav (10-8) In touch in 4th, weakened before 4 out, tailed off, 5th of 6, well behind Tullyesker Hill (11-12) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
