led until 3rd, chased leader until 6th, weakening when hit next, well behind when mistake 3 out
held up in mid-division, lost touch before 6th, well behind next, soon pulled up
tracked leaders, pushed along and lost place after 3rd, went 3rd from after 7th, plugged on to take 2nd before last, no impression on winner
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened after 5th, well behind next, soon pulled up
towards rear, mistake 5th, behind 7th, went remote 4th before 2 out
prominent, led 2nd, clear before 3rd until 5th, went clear again before next, not fluent 7th, reduced lead 3 out, soon headed, weakened into 3rd before last
held up towards rear, struggling 7th, remote 4th when mistake 3 out, pulled up before last
held up in mid-division, closed 5th, weakened before 7th
held up in rear, headway on outside before 5th, went 2nd next, challenged 3 out, soon led, clear 2 out, eased final 100 yards
Vaillant Creek went close twice in November but is still awaiting a first victory after 18 career starts. Ballinalacken won over a slightly shorter trip here on Boxing Day. He's 6lb higher but Thomas Cheeseman's claim takes care of half of that and another bold bid is anticipated. Argot and Dalliance wouldn't be without a chance while Kleitomachos won over this trip at Taunton before finding 3m a shade too far on a return visit to the west country track. THE HON MACKINLAY has a bit to find on the form book but has been showing steady progress in maiden and novice company. A mark of 105 looks fair on his handicap debut and he might appreciate the longer distance.
Wake Your Dreams (IRE) 28-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, dist behind Baywing (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Vaillant Creek (FR) 8-1 (11-8) Led until 2nd, chased leader, led again before 2 out, headed last, stayed on same pace final 100 yards, 2nd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Calin Du Brizais (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Argot 14-1 (11-7) Mid-division, blundered 2nd, lost place 5th, soon ridden and weakened, 10th of 13, dist behind Spice Fair (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Kleitomachos (IRE) 4-1fav (11-8) Tracked leaders, chased winner from 2 out, kept on run-in, lost 2nd place towards finish, 3rd of 15, 2 1/4l behind Theatre Goer (11-6) at Taunton 3m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Ballinalacken (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway after 6th, outpaced after 3 out, stayed on from next, led towards finish, won at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Drombeg West (11-2) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Bobble Emerald (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Held up mid-division, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up, at Taunton 3m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
The Hon Mackinlay (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, effort from 3 out, no headway, 6th of 17, 13 1/4l behind Unbuckled (10-7) at Doncaster 2m 1f mdn (5) gs in Dec.
Indian Daudaie (FR) 50-1 (10-10) Raced wide, prominent, led 7th, ridden and soon headed, chased winner until 3 out, weakened next, tailed off, 3rd of 7, dist behind Actinpieces (11-4) at Fakenham 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Jan.
Daliance (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders on inside, one pace 4 out, rallied after 3 out, stayed on same pace from 2 out, 4th of 13, 8 3/4l behind Extreme Impact (11-10) at Warwick 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
