pulled hard early, led and went clear briefly after 3rd, went left 4 out, hit 2 out, narrowly headed run-in, not much room on inside and switched right soon after, kept on, always held
chased leader who went clear briefly after 3rd, awkward at 5th, lost 2nd after 4 out, handy 3rd, went 2nd again 3 out, hung left and challenged last, led narrowly soon after and hung left, stayed on
mid-division, headway chasing leaders after 4 out, mistake 3 out, no chance after, weakened
raced keenly in rear, never on terms, tailed off
raced keenly in rear-division, reminders and struggling after 4 out, never a factor, tailed off
mid-division, headway into remote 4th run-in
chased leaders on inside, plugged on in 3rd from 2 out, no chance with leading duo
raced keenly in 3rd, went 2nd after 4 out, pushed along when not fluent and lost 2nd next, chased leaders, held when lost 3rd 2 out, weakened before last, lost places run-in
mid-division out wide, headway chasing leaders before 5th, weakened before 3 out, tailed off
always rear-division, hit 4 out and reminder never a factor, tailed off
soon towards rear, never on terms, tailed off
War Soldier beat market rival Sergeant Wilson at Newcastle but the second has been well beaten since. Sonnemoser’s second at Ffos Las has sent out mixed messages while Matata surrendered his unbeaten record at Wetherby, though that was a Class 2. SLEEPING SATELLITE represents the same trainer and jockey combination successful last year and has already won a point and a bumper so a switch to hurdles shouldn’t pose too many problems.
Matata (IRE) 11-8fav (11-5) Took keen hold, led, went clear 3rd, reduced advantage 6th, ridden approaching last, headed final 110yds, kept on, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Throne Hall (11-5) at Wetherby 2m (2) gd in Nov.
War Soldier (IRE) 13-8 (11-4) Chased leader, headway to challenge 3 out where not fluent, ridden and narrowly led 2 out, kept on well to fend off rival close home, won at Newcastle 2m mdn (4) gs in Nov beating Sergeant Wilson (11-4) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Cerendipity (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) In touch, headway 12f out, ridden and every chance over 2f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 16, 3 3/4l behind War Soldier (11-0) at Newcastle 2m (5) gs in Dec.
Chairman Fitz (IRE) 300-1 (11-0) Mistake 3rd, always behind, tailed off, last of 15, dist behind Pembroke (11-6) at Ludlow 2m (4) gs in Dec.
Claras Soldier (IRE) 22-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, pushed along 5f out, dropped away quickly 4f out, 11th of 13, dist behind Marvellous Mick (11-2) at Chepstow 2m (5) gs in Dec.
Playtogetaway (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Mid-division out wide, headway under pressure after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 9th of 14, dist behind Nemean Lion (11-4) at Hereford 2m mdn (4) gs in Nov.
Roccovango (IRE) 9-2 (12-0) Mid-division on outer, rear of mid-division halfway, no extra over 2f out, weakened, eased final furlong, 13th of 14, dist behind Troubled Times (11-7) at Killarney 2m 1f gd in May.
Sleeping Satellite (IRE) 5-4fav (11-2) Tracked leader until 6f out, 2nd again out wide over 2f out, in lead inside final furlong, driven out, won at Catterick 2m mdn (5) sft in Nov beating Tipperary Star (10-9) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Sonnemoser (FR) 9-1 (11-0) Close up, headway 4 out, tracked leaders next, ridden and kept on to go 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 8, 7 1/2l behind Rath Gaul Hill (11-0) at Ffos Las 2m (4) sft in Nov.
White Rhino (IRE) 100-1 (11-6) Always towards rear, 11th of 14, dist behind Clonakilty (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn (4) gs in Dec.
Maid Of The Night (IRE) 33-1 (10-7) Towards rear, pushed along 3 out, never on terms, 9th of 13, dist behind Kellahen (11-0) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f (3) sft in Nov.
