raced in close 4th, left 3rd at 9th, went 5 lengths 2nd, driven 2 out, driven ahead final 100 yards (no winning time taken due to poor visibility)
behind, 4th driven 3 out, went poor 3rd 2 out
led to 10th, chased leader, every chance under pressure 3 out, lost 2nd 2 out, weakened
raced in 3rd, 5th, struggling 3 out
behind, 6th, driven after 11th, tailed off in 6th after 3 out
mid-division, ridden, losing touch 11th, pulled up 15th
behind, ridden, struggling after 11th, pulled up 2 out
raced in 7th, left 2nd at 9th, led 10th to next, well behind 3 out, pulled up before next
chasing leader when blundered, unseated rider 9th
mid-division, led 11th, 5 lengths clear 2 out, weakened after last, headed final 100 yards
Nonrunner
A competitive field for his handicap chase confined to conditional riders. NATIONAL DIPLOMA is a tentative selection to win it for the in-form stable of Neil Mulholland. He put his best effort for some time when second at Folkestone last time. Jumping exuberantly in front, he was headed two from home and appeared as if he was set to fade out of it but stayed on well approaching the line to reclaim second spot. Stepping up to this extended three mile trip will suit him on that basis. Spancil Hill was possibly feeling the effects of his busy schedule when folding tamely on the run in at Folkestone in the particular contest which National Diploma finished second. The manner in which he capitulated having looked likely to score is hardly a boost to his chances today. National Petition goes chasing after three runs over hurdles. Being a point-to-point winner, chasing and three miles should bring about the best in him while he has the assistance of possibly the best conditional around. Kiltimoney and Tradingup are two others for consideration but National Diploma is nominated.
National Petition (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Mid-division until 5th, soon well behind, went moderate 4th 2 out, 4th of 14, 40l behind Shamari (11-0) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Spanchil Hill 15-8fav (11-8) Held up, headway after 3 out, soon 2nd and travelling well, led on inside 2 out, tired and headed last, weakened run-in, 4th of 8, 11l behind Enroblim Trop (11-12) at Folkestone 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft.
Ross Leader (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) In rear, mistake and unseated rider at the 6th in race won by Little Shilling (10-5) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft, 10 ran.
Gerrard (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, ridden after 13th, weakened after next, 7th of 14, 15l behind Arceye (10-4) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Apr.
Kiltimoney (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Never travelling or jumping fluently in rear, hit 9th, ridden and struggling next, tailed off and pulled up 5 out in race won by Little Shilling (10-5) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft, 10 ran.
Major Cain (IRE) 200-1 (10-5) Led until ridden and headed 4 out, weakened from next, tailed off, 8th of 9, well behind Award Winner (11-5) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Tradingup (IRE) 10-3fav (10-3) Mid-division, headway 6th, not fluent 8th, mistake 9th and lost place, ridden and progress after 11th, plugged on same pace from 3 out, mistake last, 4th of 12, 11l behind Joe Deane (10-11) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Nov.
Mortar 11-1 (11-2) Towards rear, slightly hampered approaching 2nd, mistake 6th, headway 12th, weakened 3 out, 4th of 10, 29l behind Dillay Brook (11-9) at Plumpton 3m 2f nov hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs in Nov.
National Diploma (IRE) 33-1 (10-0) Led 2nd at 3rd, led 6th, headed 2 out, soon lost place, rallied run-in, took 2nd near finish, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Enroblim Trop (11-12) at Folkestone 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft.
Alderbrook Girl (IRE) 9-2 (10-4) Chased leaders, ridden and struggling when mistake 14th, tailed off, 4th of 8, 21l behind Spanchil Hill (10-11) at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Nov.
Willow Hall 12-1 (9-11) Chased leaders, left disputing 2nd at 12th, moderate 3rd and driven after 3 out until next, kept on, 4th of 6, 6l behind Spanchil Hill (10-4) at Plumpton 3m 2f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Nov.
Follow The Flow (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, lost place 8th, ridden and behind from 12th, tailed off, 4th of 10, 45l behind Little Shilling (10-5) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft.
