held up in last trio, pushed along before 5th, chased leaders before 4 out, pushed along after 4 out, weakened next
chased leaders on inside, weakened 2 out
mid-division, headway chasing leaders before 3 out, went 3rd next, kept on run-in, always held
behind, injured and pulled up quickly after 4 out
chased leader until 2nd, chased leaders, weakened 4 out, tailed of and pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, tracked leader 2nd, led next until 6th, soon lost place
held up in last pair, steady headway approaching 4 out, outpaced 2 out, plugged on run-in
mid-division out wide, headway chasing leaders 4th, went 2nd 6th, awkward 4 out, led 3 out, clear when idled run-in, driven out
led until 3rd, chased leader, in front again 5th, headed 3 out, chased winner, pushed along before next, soon ridden, bad mistake last, stayed on run-in, always just held
NonRunner
Ebony Jewel was a useful novice last season and makes his handicap debut. Sandown runner-up Oscars Leader should go well off bottom weight and Uttoxeter winner The Cob starts off in handicaps on a fair mark. The going may be too testing for Multellie today but he’ll be winning again soon. Better Getalong hasn’t won in almost three years but Minella Charmer goes well fresh and the ground would have been too quick for Hijack last time at Cheltenham. GOOBINATOR has been raised 4lb for a narrow win at Ayr but the first two pulled well clear of the remainder and Brian Hughes keeps faith with Donald McCain’s four-year-old.
Better Getalong (IRE) 15-2 (11-10) Close up, pushed along 4 out, soon weakened and pulled up before last, at Ayr 3m hcp (3) hvy in Oct.
Goobinator (USA) 2-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, went in pursuit of clear leader on run to 3 out, five lengths down 2 out but began to make headway, tackled leader after last and dug deep to get up on line, won at Ayr 2m hcp (2) hvy in Oct beating Mcgowan's Pass (11-1) by shd, 6 ran.
Hijack (IRE) 11-2fav (11-4) Held up in touch, close up 4th, awkward 3 out and lost ground, ridden after 2 out, weakened before last, 18th of 19, 22 3/4l behind Captain Tom Cat (10-9) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Monotype (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Prominent, disputed lead 3rd, headed before next, dropped to 7th at last (usual 3 out) weakened, 12th of 17, dist behind Bapaume (11-12) at Naas 2m 3f sft in Dec.
Laverteen (FR) 6-1 (11-1) Prominent, some slight mistakes, on terms from 4 out, led approaching straight, joined from before 2 out, soon headed and one pace, 5th of 10, 11 1/4l behind Crossed My Mind (10-7) at Cork 2m 3f hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
Multellie 12-1 (11-6) Led, pushed along and headed 3 out, lost 2nd next, weakened, 4th of 9, 15 1/4l behind Albert's Back (11-7) at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Ebony Jewel (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) Led to after 4th, lost place next, soon struggling in rear, lost touch when fell heavily 6th, at Kelso 2m 2f (1) hvy in Feb.
The Cob (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Tracked leader and pulled hard, smooth headway 3 out, left in front 2 out, comfortable at the finish when ridden out, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f (4) sft in Oct beating Peachey (10-12) by 6 1/2l, 10 ran.
Oscars Leader (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Led narrowly, pressed and responding well for pressure 2 out, headed by easy winner last, kept on gamely run-in, 2nd of 9, 5l behind Mister Coffey (11-10) at Sandown 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Minella Charmer (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Made all, jumped left at times, strongly challenged from 2 out, blundered last, kept on well under pressure, won at Haydock 2m hcp (3) hvy in Dec beating Fin And Game (11-6) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
