held up in rear, mistake 5th, headway 8th, not fluent and reminder 14th, close up 16th, fell 17th
towards rear on outside, headway 15th, hampered 17th, well beaten after, pulled up before 4 out
chased leaders on inside, went 2nd before 4 out, closed and only 2 lengths down last, no impression flat
prominent, carried right and stumbled 1st, lost place 11th, hampered 17th, modest 5th 3 out, plugged on, went 3rd from last
jumped right at times, led 3rd, stumbled 14th, not fluent 16th, bumped next, headed before 4 out, well held from 3 out
chased leaders, not much room 1st, lost place 9th, behind when pulled up before 18th
led until 3rd, tracked leader, not fluent 16th, bumped next, led before 4 out, stayed on dourly flat, clear final 100 yards
chased leaders, mistake and lost place 2nd, headway 11th, not fluent 16th, ridden after 18th, weakening when clambered over 3 out, pulled up before next
held up towards rear, headway 17th, 3rd 4 out, mistake and weakened 2 out
NonRunner
Gold Opera wasn’t beaten far on his first try over 3m at Ayr but offered no evidence that he’d stay this far. Recent course winner Whiskey Chaser faces a big test racing from 11lb out of the handicap but Emperor's Choice is well handicapped nowadays and entitled to respect. It would be no surprise to see Lessons In Milan take a major step forward after a pipe-opener and recent Carlisle winner Harry The Viking was second in this two years ago racing off the same mark. WEST OF THE EDGE tackles fences for the first time this season and can return to winning ways. He won three times last season, including one over a longer trip at Warwick in March.
Lessons In Milan (IRE) 15-2 (11-2) With leader, led narrowly 2nd, headed when blundered and lost place 13th, weakened and pulled up approaching 4 out, at Haydock 3m 2f hcp (2) hvy in Nov.
Belmount (IRE) 16-1 (11-13) Held up, mistake 10th, struggling from 13th, pulled up 16th, at Sandown 3m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
West Of The Edge (IRE) 13-2 (11-11) Tracked leaders, pushed along before 5 out, soon weakened, 7th of 11, dist behind Buckle Street (11-12) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Harry The Viking 25-1 (11-3) Led to 8th, tracked leader, led again 13th, driven and hard pressed last, soon ridden, stayed on gamely flat, just held on, won at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Nov beating Topper Thornton (11-8) by hd, 15 ran.
Streets Of Promise (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders in 3rd, weakened before 5 out, 9th of 10, dist behind Wild West Wind (11-2) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Gold Opera (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) With leader, led 12th until before 4 out, in front again 4 out, ridden after 2 out, hung left under pressure run-in, headed and no extra near finish, 4th of 6, 3/4l behind Catamaran Du Seuil (11-5) at Ayr 3m hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Emperor's Choice (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Disputed lead until driven and outpaced after 5 out, lost 2nd before next, soon no chance with clear pair, ridden and plugged on when hard pressed for remote 3rd from 3 out, 3rd of 8, 32l behind Hainan (11-11) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Jennys Surprise (IRE) 10-3 (11-12) Prominent, led before 14th, headed next, every chance 4 out, not fluent 3 out, soon lost 2nd, weakened from 2 out, lost 3rd flat, 4th of 7, 12 3/4l behind Daklondike (12-1) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Whiskey Chaser (IRE) 17-2 (11-1) Chased leaders, mistake 1st, went 2nd 7th until 9th, slightly hampered 14th, challenged 4 out, led last, stayed on well drawing clear final 100 yards, won at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (4) hvy in Dec beating Back To The Thatch (11-12) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Vieux Lille (IRE) 7-2fav (12-0) In touch, mistake 13th, in 3rd before 4 out, weakening when blundered 2 out, 6th of 16, 36 1/4l behind Gingili (11-7) at Exeter 3m hcp (3) gs in Oct.
