always towards rear, effort 4 out, never dangerous
held up mid-division, headway 4 out, weakened after 3 out
made all, blundered 3 out, soon drew clear, ran on strongly
held up mid-division, ridden before 3 out, headway before 2 out, chased winner last 100 yards, no impression
tracked leaders, ridden and one pace from 2 out
tracked leaders, reminders after 4 out, chased winner from 3 out, weakened and lost 2 places last 100 yards
in rear, weakened before 4 out, soon tailed off
held up mid-division, pushed along before 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off, pulled up before 2 out
held up behind, pushed along before 8th, soon tailed off
This may be just too tough for Thehillofuisneach conceding weight all round as his three recent wins have come in handicap company. Track and trip will suit Brindisi Breeze, however, while Real Milan has won both starts over hurdles and should have no problem with the step up to 3m. Ambion Wood was only beaten half-a-length by Cotton Mill in a Grade 2 at Warwick last month and also goes on the short-list while Ruben Cotter and Fighting Flynn are improving with experience and sure to be winning soon. Meister Eckhart is still unbeaten but more interesting is HARRY TOPPER, who has always been held in high regard and had no trouble defying a big weight at Wincanton last month. He has a real stayer's pedigree and can complete the hat-trick.
Thehillofuisneach (IRE) 13-2 (10-11) Mid-division, not fluent 6th, switched left and challenged 2 out, soon led, went right last, driven flat, stayed on well, won at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl (2) gs in Jan beating Ely Brown (9-12) by 1l, 16 ran.
Ambion Wood (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Always prominent, led after 3 out, ridden and headed next, edged right approaching last, still every chance flat, held close home, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Cotton Mill (11-4) at Warwick 2m 5f nov hdl Grade 2 (1) gs in Jan.
Brindisi Breeze (IRE) 10-3 (11-4) Made all, hit 3 out, soon clear, very easily, won at Newcastle 3m nov hdl (4) sft in Jan beating Charlie Bucket (10-5) by 13l, 9 ran.
Harry Topper 13-8fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, led next, clear flat, stayed on well, won at Wincanton 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan beating Monturgeon (10-13) by 7l, 9 ran.
Meister Eckhart (IRE) 4-7fav (10-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd 3 out, challeneged on outside and hit 2 out, upsides and hit last, driven and stayed on to lead final 150 yard, won at Ffos Las 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec beating Valley Lad (10-7) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Real Milan (IRE) 4-5fav (11-11) With leader on inside, switched outside after 4 out, led next, drew readily clear from 2 out, unextended, won at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan beating Global Fella (11-5) by 7l, 3 ran.
Fighting Flynn (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Chased leading pair, led 3 out, joined 2 out, ridden and headed last, kept on until no extra final 100 yards, 2nd of 13, 1l behind Hadrian's Approach (11-0) at Ascot 2m 6f NH mdn hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Ruben Cotter (IRE) 10-3 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge 2 out, soon every chance, no extra closing stages, 2nd of 10, 2 3/4l behind Big Occasion (10-12) at Chepstow 3m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Simply Ben (IRE) 4-1 (10-13) Mid-division, headway approaching 5th, led before 2 out, headed last, led again flat, stayed on, won at Ffos Las 2m 6f mdn hdl (5) sft in Jan beating Milarrow (11-6) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
