held up in rear on outside, headway after 7th, 2nd from 2 out, no impression on winner not fluent last, stayed on same pace
mid-division, headway 8th, ridden and weakened before 2 out
tracked leader until 8th, 4th and outpaced 2 out, soon weakened
held up in touch on outside, lost place 7th, well behind after next
tracked leaders, 2nd going well 8th, led 2 out, clear before last, easily
tracked leaders, not fluent 1st, slow 4th, mistake 7th, jumped right 8th, soon ridden, weakened 2 out
held up rear of mid-division, not fluent 4th, mistake and weakened 8th, pulled up before last
jumped slowly and not always fluent, always behind
mid-division, mistake 3 out, modest effort when not fluent next, no chance with leaders and soon weakened
mid-division, headway 2 out, no chance with leaders, soon weakened, went 4th before last
led until 2 out, 3rd and weakening before last
Finian's Oscar went for an incredible £250,000 at the sales after a comprehensive victory between the flags at Portrush in October so is obviously very highly regarded. Gibbes Bay won a bumper at Ayr in April and started favourite on his return to action in a similar race at Haydock last month but didn't appear to act in the very heavy ground. ACTING LASS came here for his hurdling debut last month and stayed on powerfully in the soft ground. He'll enjoy the slightly longer trip and will take some beating, though Some Invitation is unlikely to go down without a fight. He had the long odds-on Monbeg Charmer behind when making a successful start at Wetherby when the reminder were in another parish and will have come on a bundle for the run.
Acting Lass (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) In rear, headway after 4 out, led before last, soon clear, won at Hereford 2m 4f (4) sft in Nov beating Bradford Bridge (10-12) by 11l, 12 ran.
Some Invitation (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway before 3 out, soon challenged leader, ridden before last, kept on to lead towards finish, won at Wetherby 2m 4f (4) gs in Nov beating Monbeg Charmer (11-5) by 1l, 7 ran.
Cona River (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, lost place 7f out, well beaten final 4f, 10th of 13, dist behind Cause Toujours (11-0) at Warwick 2m (6) sft in Dec.
Diamond Benny (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, pushed along halfway, weakened over 6f out, last of 5, dist behind Coastal Tiep (11-0) at Chepstow 2m (4) gd in Oct.
Finian's Oscar (IRE) 2-1 (11-10) Rcd 4th/5th, 4th 5out, hdwy 3out, slight adv 2out, asserted bef last, sow, won at Portrush 3m mdn gd in Oct beating Mr Clarkson (11-10) by 8l, 10 ran.
Gibbes Bay (FR) 5-2fav (11-9) Held up mid-division, pushed along before 6f out, soon outpaced, plugged on from over 3f out, 4th of 11, 16 1/4l behind Claimantakinforgan (11-2) at Haydock 2m (4) hvy in Nov.
Monsieur Darsi (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Held up in rear and keen, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, soon weakened, 7th of 14, 17l behind Bun Doran (11-0) at Chepstow 2m (6) sft in Nov.
One Brilliant Day (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Very awkward and unseated rider 1st, at Plumpton 2m 5f (4) gs in Dec.
Russian Service 8-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, weakened after 3 out, 4th of 11, dist behind Ballymalin (11-5) at Southwell 3m (4) gd in Nov.
Vinnie Lewis (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Prominent, not fluent 6th, ridden before 3 out, no extra when not fluent last, 3rd of 14, 14 3/4l behind Druid's Folly (10-12) at Towcester 2m 5f (4) gs in Nov.
Western Climate (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Pressed winner, not fluent 5th or 8th, lost 2nd 3 out, soon one pace, no extra flat, 3rd of 5, 11 3/4l behind Scotchtown (11-5) at Ludlow 2m 5f (4) sft in Nov.
Diamond Fort (IRE) 15-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, weakened over 3f out, 8th of 14, 31 3/4l behind Agamemmon (11-0) at Southwell 2m (6) gd in Nov.
