held up, headway on inside 6th, blundered 7th, ridden and weakened after 9th, pulled up before 4 out
held up in rear, steady progress on outside 9th, led after 2 out, clear flat, easily
prominent, pushed along 9th, weakened approaching 4 out
held up in touch, weakened 8th
prominent, reminders after 4th, soon lost place and struggling, pulled up before 7th
took keen hold, went prominent 3rd, led and blundered 4 out, headed after 2 out, soon ridden, one pace
led to 4 out, weakened after 3 out
held up, blundered and unseated rider 3rd
FLIGHT TO MILAN has to concede weight all round but Mitchell Bastyan claims a valuable 5lb, a first-time visor is applied and the drop back to the minimum trip should prove helpful in the search for a first win under Rules. Stablemate Mouseinthehouse has to put a poor run last time behind him and Battleofthesomme, whilst respected here, has found life far tougher after the handicapper's reaction to two wins in a week earlier in the season. Royal Act also has a shout on the best of his form and track and trip should suit - he looks the each-way option at the prices. Champion Chase is 0-21 under Rules but continues to pick up place money and may well do so again.
Flight To Milan (IRE) 11-2 (11-9) Led 1st, clear 8th, hit 4 out, reduced lead last bend, headed 3 out, not much room 2 out, weakened flat, 3rd of 9, 20 1/4l behind Moromac (11-1) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Mouseinthehouse (IRE) 12-1 (10-4) Behind, mistakes 3rd and 7th, jumped right 8th, lost touch and pulled up before 9th, broke blood vessel, at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Battleofthesomme (IRE) 7-2jfav (11-7) Led 2nd, headed 8th, chased winner, hit 3 out, ridden after 3 out, no impression when lost 2nd 2 out, went 3rd close home, no chance with winner, 3rd of 11, 25 1/2l behind Seeanythingyoulike (11-1) at Warwick 2m hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Royal Act 9-4 (10-13) Tracked leader, led 5 out, ridden and headed between 3 out and 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 30 3/4l behind Miss Amelia (10-3) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Lightentertainment (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Reluctant to jump off, chased leaders on outside, pushed along and lost place before 6th, never on terms after, 5th of 11, dist behind Seeanythingyoulike (11-1) at Warwick 2m hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Champion Chase (FR) 5-1 (10-7) Chased leading trio, jumped slowly 4th, pushed along before 3 out, went 2nd close home, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 8l behind Bridle Loanan (11-10) at Lingfield 2m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Bredon Hill Lad 9-1 (10-10) In rear and outpaced, soon pushed along, plugged on from 3 out, never dangerous, 4th of 7, 26 1/4l behind Flaminger (12-4) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Jimmyjames 16-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, not fluent 2nd, slow 8th, led after 4 out, headed after last, weakened towards finish, 4th of 12, 8 1/2l behind Kingston Mimosa (10-2) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (5) hvy in Jan.