always towards rear, weakened from 4 out
tracked leaders early, soon towards rear, weakened from 7 out, pulled up after 6 out
refused to race
in touch, blundered 7 out, went 3rd 6 out, weakened from 3 out, pulled up
led, headed 2 out, one pace
tracked leader, led 3 out, clear before last
in rear, soon tracked leaders in 3rd, weakened from 3 out
Nonrunner
Andrew Thornton has just one booked ride at the meeting, Downtown Boy, who he rode into third at Sedgefield last time. Rupert Bear has had 13 starts over fences without winning while Miss Conway's only success over hurdles came on good ground. Gin Cobbler is very moderate but has been well placed to land five races and is on the same mark as when last successful in May. HALCYON DAYS (NAP) battled to victory at a slightly higher level than this at Ayr in October before a fair run at Musselburgh where a bad mistake two out didn't help. He's unproven on ground this testing but this is a poor contest and he's taken to double his winning tally. Clan Chief could provide a threat as he scored over timber on heavy going a year ago and improved with experience over the bigger obstacles.
Spoils Of War (IRE) 5-1 (11-9) Led until not fluent 4th, soon led again, headed 5th, struggling after 8th, 5th of 6, 35 1/4l behind Thankyou Very Much (11-9) at Musselburgh 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Rupert Bear 16-1 (11-12) Held up mid-division, headway to go 4th before 8th, went 3rd 4 out, weakened before last, 5th of 9, 16 1/4l behind Spread Boy (10-3) at Sedgefield 2m hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Downtown Boy (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Towards rear, outpaced 9th, headway before 2 out, ran on to take 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 9, 10l behind Spread Boy (10-3) at Sedgefield 2m hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Clan Chief 4-1 (10-5) In rear, headway 4th to join leader, led 6th, headed before last, one pace, 2nd of 6, 8l behind Lowanbehold (11-12) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in Apr.
Miss Conway 15-8fav (10-4) Led to 4th, in touch, weakened 2 out, pulled up before last, at Stratford 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Halcyon Days 2-1 (10-12) Pressed leader, led 5th, headed when hit 3 out, blundered and no impression on winner from next, 2nd of 6, 7l behind Thankyou Very Much (11-9) at Musselburgh 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Five Point Plan (IRE) 66-1 (11-1) In rear, reminder after 5th, soon struggling, tailed off, 9th of 10, dist behind Ping (10-0) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp (5) gs in Nov.
Gin Cobbler 16-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, 4th and outpaced after 8th, rallied into 3rd before 4 out until before next, modest 3rd again approaching the last, no chance with 1st two, 3rd of 6, 16 1/2l behind Lake Chapala (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
