Project Mars didn’t quite handle a further 4lb rise here last month and finished a couple of lengths behind SHANROE TIC TEC (NAP), though ahead of Great Hall. Ben Pauling’s charge has run well the last twice with the blinkers back on and is overdue a victory. Blinkers replace the usual cheekpieces on Silkstone but the dual Flat winner continues to frustrate in hurdles. Galactic Power is in the veteran stage now but there was nothing wrong with his reappearance behind an in-form rival at Ludlow and he usually runs well here.
Project Mars (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders on inside, every chance 2 out, one pace and held flat, 5th of 13, 6 3/4l behind Zhiguli (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Shanroe Tic Tec (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Held up in mid-division, mistake 1st, headway after 5th, not much room after 4 out, mistake 3 out, outpaced 2 out, not fluent last, stayed on flat, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 13, 4 3/4l behind Zhiguli (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Great Hall 13-2 (11-6) Chased leaders, outpaced 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 13, 21l behind Zhiguli (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Shutthegate (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Towards rear, still minor chance before 3 out, pushed along before 2 out, kept on, 5th of 11, 20 3/4l behind Across The Line (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (4) sft in Dec.
St Lawrence Gap (IRE) 40-1 (11-12) Midfield, mistake 4 out, dropped to rear 3 out, never dangerous, 14th of 15, dist behind Cremant (11-12) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp (5) gs in Nov.
Mary Of De Sorrows (IRE) 150-1 (11-4) Towards rear, ridden along approaching 2 out, stayed on but never a factor, 8th of 17, 17 1/2l behind Chinwag (11-8) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Full Spes (FR) 80-1 (11-0) Towards rear of mid-division, ridden and struggling after 4 out, closer before 2 out, soon ridden and beaten, 8th of 16, 37 1/4l behind Lecale's Article (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Silkstone (IRE) 11-4fav (11-2) Close up, ridden 3 out, headway home turn, stayed on to go 3rd at last, 3rd of 10, 11 1/4l behind Gorham's Cave (11-2) at Fakenham 2m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Candy Lou 18-1 (11-4) Mid-division, niggled along before 4 out, soon ridden for effort, never dangerous, 15th of 17, dist behind Jessica Rabbit (10-1) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (5) gd in Nov.
The Quiet Don (IRE) 80-1 (11-0) In touch in mid-division, closed before 6th, struggling from next, tailed off, 16th of 17, dist behind Jay Bee Why (11-0) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Galactic Power (IRE) 33-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, not fluent 7th, stayed on past beaten horses when ridden before 3 out, rapid headway under pressure before 2 out, chased leader last, stayed on flat, 2nd of 12, 1 1/2l behind Mr Washington (11-7) at Ludlow 3m hcp (5) gs in Dec.
Fforbidden Love 25-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, ridden and outpaced before 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 12, dist behind Darksideoftarnside (11-4) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (5) hvy in Nov.
