tracked leaders, pushed along before 2 out, weakened before last
in touch, pressed leader from 6th, pushed along before 2 out and gradually faded, weakened run-in
in rear, slow jump 1st, refused 2nd
handy, saddle slipped 2nd, led 3rd, headed and tracked leaders after 5th, dropped away after 3 out and soon well behind
prominent, lost place 6th, pushed along after 4 out, beaten before 2 out
towards rear, in touch, went 4th home turn, shaken up and led narrowly 2 out, ridded and edged right before last, kept on gamely, always doing enough
in rear, in touch, pushed along after 4 out, plugged on, weakened before last
led narrowly, headed 3rd, remained prominent, led again after 5th, headed narrowly 2 out, every chance last, ridden run-in, ran on but always held
towards rear, in touch, pushed along and headway before 2 out, pressed leaders 2 out, soon ridden, kept on run-in, no impression
NonRunner
Five course and distance winners oppose in a tightly-knit affair. Having rattled up a three-timer in early 2022, Poker Master returned from a 212-day break to score here last month, for which he's up 5lb. Now 21lb higher than when launching his winning spree, he goes well for his conditional pilot. Justified usually runs his race but has been left on a career-high mark despite a rare disappointment on his latest start. Hardy Boy is another in need of a resurgence as he's been below par on both starts since coming back from a break but previous form affords him every chance. Hillfinch has a shout but SERMANDO gets the nod off a tempting mark, especially after solid efforts the last twice in competitive handicaps.
Hiconic 11-1 (10-10) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, weakened before 2 out, pulled up before last, at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Rhebus Road (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) Contested lead, narrow 2nd 4 out, every chance when pushed turning for home, ridden after 2 out, weakened after last, 4th of 8, 4 1/4l behind Rewired (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Masteroftheheights (IRE) 20-1 (10-6) Held up midfield, fell 2nd, at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Pearly Island 13-2 (11-1) Midfield, ridden and weakened before 3 out, soon pulled up, at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Justified 7-2 (11-12) Led until before 2nd, lost place when mistake 4 out, well held after, 5th of 9, 37 3/4l behind The Turtle Said (11-7) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Poker Master (IRE) 6-1 (12-0) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, every chance 2 out, ridden to lead flat, ran on, won at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp (5) gd in Nov beating Glance At Me (10-2) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Hillfinch 10-1 (11-5) Chased leader until 3rd, not much room and lost place bend after 5th, switched right before next, struggling 3 out, rallied last, went 3rd towards finish, no impression, 3rd of 7, 11 1/2l behind Mullenbeg (11-6) at Fakenham 2m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Sermando (FR) 4-1 (11-11) Held up in behind leaders, led before 2 out, soon ridden and headed, kept on until no extra final 110yds, lost second final strides, 3rd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Supreme Yeats (11-11) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Maid On The Moon 20-1 (11-3) Mid-division, pushed along home turn, lost touch and eased 2 out, last of 9, dist behind Getaweapon (11-7) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Hardy Boy (FR) 13-2 (10-12) Mistakes, chased leaders, mistake and rider lost iron briefly 3rd, mistake 5th, ridden and weakened between last two, 13th of 18, 22 1/2l behind Sweet Will (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
