chased leaders, pushed along briefly after 8th, 2nd from 3 out, no chance with winner, lost 2nd flat
in rear, mistake 5th, reminder after next, ridden and struggling from 4 out
made all, mostly always clear, jumped right and not fluent 4th, jumped right next, given breather 6th and 4 out, drew well clear again before 3 out, not fluent last, unchallenged
held up, closed after 4 out, 3rd before last, went 2nd flat, no chance with winner
chased leaders, ridden and no chance with winner before 3 out, pressing for the places until the well held 4t last
chased winner who was mostly always clear, lost 2nd from 3 out, 5th and fading badly last
mid-division, kept wide, closed 8th, weakened after 4 out
towards rear, well beaten before 3 out
NonRunner
Isaacstown Lad had already made a couple of mistakes before falling when favourite here last week but he’d be a factor with a clear round today. Thomas Patrick was just beaten by a subsequent winner over track and trip earlier this month and Dandy Duke deserves a crack at this higher grade after wins at Chepstow and Southwell. TOP VILLE BEN won over 3m between the flags and was positively ridden when second at Doncaster last time over 2m3f. He could have done without a 3lb rise but may take some pegging back if allowed an easy lead. Crucial Role, Billy Dutton and Tomkevi all have each-way claims.
Isaacstown Lad (IRE) 6-4fav (11-12) Held up, not fluent 2nd, fell 7th, at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Another Bill (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Towards rear, struggling 10th, tailed off, 8th of 13, 37 1/4l behind Mister Whitaker (10-6) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Top Ville Ben (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) Led, clear until 6th, not fluent 3 out, edged right after 2 out, headed last, held final 100 yards, 2nd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Fixed Rate (10-13) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Fingerontheswitch (IRE) 40-1 (10-0) In touch, ridden after 3 out, never able to challenge, weakened last, 6th of 16, 28 1/4l behind Sam Spinner (10-9) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (1) hvy in Nov.
Dandy Duke (IRE) 6-4fav (12-0) Held up in touch, headway after 3 out, led before last, kept on well, won at Southwell 3m hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Groundunderrepair (11-12) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Thomas Patrick (IRE) 3-1 (12-3) Led until 1st, led 3rd, not fluent and strongly pressed from 3 out, driven flat, headed close home, 2nd of 8, shd behind Pop Rockstar (11-6) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Billy Dutton 8-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, led 3rd, soon headed, ridden and one pace from 3 out, 4th of 11, 8 3/4l behind Flemcara (11-9) at Exeter 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Tomkevi (FR) 12-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, not always fluent, closed 4 out, no impression 3 out, 5th of 7, 9 3/4l behind Eminent Poet (11-12) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Crucial Role 3-1 (11-4) Took keen hold, held up, closed when not fluent 3rd, chased winner 6th, ridden before 3 out, no impression on winner when dived at 2 out, one pace, 2nd of 8, 8l behind Robin The Raven (11-8) at Ludlow 2m 5f (3) gs in Nov.
