made all, led narrowly, not fluent 9th, pushed along and asserted home turn, kept on well run-in
in rear, in touch, headway into 3rd after 2 out, ridden home turn, plugged on into 2nd close home, not trouble winner
chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, pushed along before 9th, lost touch 3 out
pressed leader, pushed along after 2 out, outpaced home turn, kept on same pace and lost 2nd close home
in rear, in touch, not fluent 2nd, cajoled along at times, ridden and struggling 4 out, pulled up after 2 out
chased leaders, not fluent 2 out and weakened tamely, soon pulled up
in touch towards rear, pushed along after 3 out, plugged on, never a factor
prominent, pushed along before 2 out, weakened tamely after 2 out
I'm A Starman makes the frame every now and then but hasn’t managed a win since the spring of 2021 so this may rest between NORTON HILL and Bertie Wooster. The former has been raised 4lb for winning over track and trip last month but he remains unexposed in staying races and his likely market rival is still a maiden and has been put up 6lb for a narrow defeat over 2m5f here last time. Belles Benefit looks one-paced and Blue Shark’s partner has yet to ride a winner under Rules.
Norton Hill (IRE) 10-3fav (12-0) Never fluent, made all, pushed clear and in no danger when hit last, driven out, won at Hereford 3m 2f hcp (4) gd in Nov beating Aldsworth (11-0) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
Slip Road (IRE) 11-1 (12-1) Prominent, pushed along 3 out and dropped away tamely, 7th of 9, 33 1/4l behind Wot You Wearing (10-2) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Diger Daudaie (FR) 40-1 (12-0) Towards rear, outpaced 6th, last of 8, 31 1/4l behind Special Rate (12-1) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Bertie Wooster (IRE) 2-1fav (12-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd turning in, 2 lengths down last, strong challenge near finish, just failed, 2nd of 10, shd behind Mactavish (10-10) at Hereford 2m 6f hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Blue Shark (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Never closer than mid-division, 7th of 9, 21 3/4l behind The Imposter (11-6) at Ffos Las 3m hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Ithaka (IRE) 125-1 (10-2) Always in rear, jumped left and not fluent 3 out, soon tailed off, 16th of 18, dist behind Our Champ (10-5) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
I'm A Starman 11-1 (11-7) Led, ridden before 2 out where headed, weakened approaching last, 4th of 8, 15 3/4l behind Karavomylos (10-3) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Belles Benefit (IRE) 15-2 (11-11) Close up, not fluent 3rd, pushed along 2 out and no impression, 5th of 12, 12 1/2l behind Masterdream (11-6) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp (5) gd in Nov.
