mid-division, mistake 3rd, pushed along 7th, outpaced 3 out, soon ridden, went 3rd after last
made all, mistake 1st, stayed on well after last, pushed clear
tracked leaders, headed and struggling after 7th, kept on at same pace 3 out, weakened before next
prominent, ridden and reminders 6th, pushed along 3 out, stumbled last, kept on at one pace towards finish
held up in touch, pushed along and headway 3 out, tracked leader 2 out, jumped left last, kept on one pace flat
always towards rear
tracked leader, brief headway 5th, lost position 3 out, pushed along and lost further ground 2 out, kept on at same pace after next
in touch, driven along 3 out, weakened before 2 out
never on terms, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, ridden and reminders 3 out, never closer
The day’s feature looks wide open but last year’s winner, Hygrove Percy, is 7lb higher. His stable still has a good chance of landing the prize again, however, with August’s Bangor winner Chirico Vallis. The Russian Doyen is probably having a pipe-opener before returning to chasing and Mr Pumblechook hasn’t raced since Boxing Day. Kissesforkatie, Air Horse One and Nordic Combined are others who lack a recent run but Presence Of Mind will have benefited from an outing at Uttoxeter. HAREFIELD has had a couple of runs in better company over track and trip this season. He led until the last on the second occasion so may be coming to hand with a further drop in the ratings an added bonus
The Russian Doyen (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, mistakes, lost place 4th, well beaten from 12th, well behind before 3 out, soon pulled up, at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Chirico Vallis (FR) 10-1 (11-7) Led after 1st, pressed 2 out, stayed on into clear lead before last, pushed out (hand timed), won at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Aug beating Garo De Juilley (11-13) by 8l, 11 ran.
Air Horse One 25-1 (11-7) Always towards rear, ridden before 2 out, never dangerous, 10th of 20, 19 1/4l behind Our Power (11-3) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Mar.
Nordic Combined (IRE) 9-4 (12-6) Close up, led 5th, kept on strongly before 2 out, won at Taunton 2m hcp (4) hvy in Mar beating Tegerek (12-5) by 6 1/2l, 9 ran.
Mr Pumblechook 3-1fav (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway chasing leaders before 4 out, chased leaders next, weakened before 2 out, tailed off, 7th of 16, dist behind Honest Vic (11-9) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Kissesforkatie (IRE) 11-4 (11-2) Tracked clear leader (winner), close up 3 out, every chance when fell next, at Wincanton 1m 7f (4) hvy in Dec.
Harefield (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) Carried left start, led, clear 2nd until after 3 out, headed before 2 out, weakened last, 5th of 7, 9 1/2l behind Collooney (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Oct.
Hygrove Percy 12-1 (11-9) Prominent in chasing group, lost place and struggling after 5th, tailed off, 6th of 11, 30 3/4l behind Earth Moor (11-8) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Mar.
Distingo (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Held up and always towards rear, not fluent 6th, tailed off, 14th of 15, dist behind Nordano (10-0) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Feb.
Presence Of Mind (IRE) 17-2 (11-4) Towards rear, not fluent 5th, pushed along and weakened before 3 out, 9th of 11, dist behind Flashing Glance (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
