held up in rear, ridden and struggling 5th, soon tailed off, pulled up before last
tracked leaders to between last 2, soon ridden and weakened before last
chased leading pair to 5th, soon well behind
in touch, headway to track leading pair 5th, led well before last, pushed clear run-in, comfortably
took keen hold, held up, ridden and struggling after 3 out
held up, headway before 2 out, chased leaders between last 2, hard driven and one pace run-in
raced freely, led, ridden and headed well between last 2, relegated to 3rd before last, kept on run-in to regain 2nd last stride, no chance with winner
tracked leaders in 4th, ridden to chase winner before last where jumped right, no impression run-in, lost 2nd last stride
in touch until weakened before 2 out
in touch, ridden 4th, driven and struggling next, soon well behind
took keen hold, held up last, ridden and no impression leaders from 2 out
in touch, ridden along 3rd, struggling 5th, soon tailed off
A tough race to call here for punters with very little between many of the leading lights but the principals look to be Honan , Isam Top and Ressource and the tentative vote is given to Honan. The selection does have his own ideas about the game but he is mainly consistent and with the race looking sure to be run to suit he looks the value bet in an open affair. Isam Top rates the main danger as she won well last time when beating Misbehaviour. However she has a penalty for that win and this looks more competitive and she will need to improve again to win this. Barton Gate is another last time out winner that could go well but he looks to have plenty of weight for what he has actually achived. Ressource won well last time but may just need the run after a 255 day absence. Of the remainder Zeloso is from a yard in form and could go well at a price but in a race that throws up more questions than answers and where stakes should be kept to a minimum for the winner we return to Honan.
Dangerousdanmagru (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) Held up behind, ridden and struggling from 4 out, some headway next, no impression, 4th of 11, 19l behind Barton Nic (10-0) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy.
Barton Gate 11-2 (10-5) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, led approaching 2 out, stayed on, won at Uttoxeter 2m sll hdl (G) hvy in Dec beating The Wife's Sister (10-0) by 8l, 12 ran.
Up At Midnight 10-1 (11-1) Led, not fluent 2 out, headed and mistake last, weakened final 150 yards, 6th of 11, 5l behind Nanga Parbat (10-13) at Newbury 2m nov hcp hdl 0-110 (D) gs in Mar.
Honan (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Mid-division, ridden after 5th, outpaced 3 out, headway approaching last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 11, 6l behind Killing Me Softly (11-12) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (F) sft in Dec.
Ressource (FR) 25-1 (9-9) Held up mid-division, headway after 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, switched left approaching last, quickened up well to lead and soon clear, won at Stratford 2m 3f amt hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gs in May beating Hattington (11-8) by 4l, 17 ran.
Shaman 25-1 (10-12) In touch, mistake 5th, headway next, led briefly approaching 3 out, weakened and hit last 2, 8th of 12, 22l behind Alph (11-10) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Jayed (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Led, headed approaching 3 out, gradually weakened, 7th of 18, 20l behind Gustavo (9-13) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gd in Dec.
Isam Top (FR) 4-1 (10-0) Tracked clear leader, closed 4th, challenged 2 out, led soon after, pressed last, ridden and drew away run-in, won at Folkestone 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy beating Misbehaviour (10-13) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Instant Appeal 7-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway 6th, soon ridden, weakened 3 out, 8th of 14, 37l behind Sandmartin (10-11) at Exeter 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs.
Zeloso 8-1 (11-3) Always towards rear, 9th of 16, well behind Ask The Umpire (11-12) at Towcester 2m 3f amt hcp hdl (5) sft.
Monsal Dale (IRE) 25-1 (10-4) Held up, headway 7th, ridden and effort after 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 3rd of 8, 16l behind Amanpuri (10-10) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft.
Just Beware 100-1 (10-4) Reminders 3rd, always behind, 5th of 13, well behind Sole Agent (11-2) at Folkestone 2m 1f 4yo mdn hdl (4) hvy.
