tracked leader, mistake 4 out, soon weakened
led, hung left when headed approaching 3 out, weakened after next
chased leader, went 2nd 5 out, weakened 3 out, tailed off
held up in rear but in touch, under pressure approaching 7th, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, weakened before 2 out
held up in rear but in touch, took closer order 5th, led approaching 3 out, drew clear on bridle approaching last, very easily
in touch, pushed along 4th, reminders 5 out, soon outpaced, rallied 2 out, stayed on to chase easy winner after last, never a threat
Philip Kirby won this last year but the four-year-old Bruce Almighty faces a stiff task in these conditions after failing to complete a hat-trick at Hexham from a 15lb lower mark. Rock Relief ran his best race for a very long time on testing ground at Newcastle and still looks on a fair mark but BALLYWILLIAM (NAP) looks the one to be on. David Pipe's charge looked certain to win when left clear at the last over slightly further at Chepstow but was mugged in the closing stages by Battle Dust. Compensation awaits here though Bell Weir generally goes well when dropped to this level. Up And Go is likely to be back over fences before too long and ran poorly on his return over hurdles at Bangor last month.
Up And Go (FR) 28-1 (11-2) Held up well in rear, headway after 3 out, chased leaders before last, never a threat, 4th of 6, 22 1/2l behind Top Billing (11-0) at Bangor 2m 7f hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Ballywilliam (IRE) 11-4 (10-12) With leaders on outside, led before 5th, made most after, joined 3 out, ridden after next, narrow advantage when left 4 lengths clear last, idled flat, headed final strides, 2nd of 6, shd behind Battle Dust (10-12) at Chepstow 3m (4) hvy in Dec.
Bruce Almighty (IRE) 4-6fav (11-12) Towards rear, headway before 8th to chase leaders, ridden to lead before last, headed after last, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Dusky Bob (11-3) at Hexham 2m 7f hcp (5) gs in Nov.
Bell Weir 25-1 (8-11) Held up, always behind, 14th of 16, 31 1/4l behind Gleese The Devil (9-6) at York 2m hcp (4) gs in Oct.
American Life (FR) 25-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders on outside, lost place from 6th, well beaten before 3 out, 7th of 9, dist behind Periquest (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Rock Relief (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Tracked leader until pushed along and lost place 5th, 2nd again approaching 3 out, every chance last, 3rd and one pace run-in, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Marlee Massie (10-11) at Newcastle 2m 5f hcp (5) hvy in Dec.
