handy early, dropped to rear in touch before 5 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on but not pace to challenge
prominent, joined leader 4 out, headed before 2 out, ridden after 2 out, gradually faded
mid-division, dropped to rear 3rd, mistake and ridden 4th, weakened before 2 out
in rear, ridden in 4th after 3 out, pressed leaders 2 out, kept on well but always held
led, not fluent 3rd, joined 4 out, led again before 2 out, soon pressed, not fluent and headed 2 out, soon ridden, kept on well, closing at finish
Wor Verge has gone up 6lb for winning at Newcastle but must have a good chance of a follow-up if the cheekpieces work a second time. MALPAS is not guaranteed to get his own way out in front here but the drop back in distance should help Peter Kavanagh’s mount, who only weakened close home on his handicap debut at Carlisle last month. Lock Down Luke needs to brush up his jumping but looks the pick of the remainder.
Malpas (IRE) 11-4 (11-9) Prominent after 3 out, joined and headed 2 out, weakend after last, 5th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Time Leader (10-2) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Blooriedotcom (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Midfield, jumped right 2nd, ridden and lost ground 3 out, weakened quickly soon after and pulled up before 2 out, at Perth 2m hcp (4) gs in Sep.
Wor Verge 7-2 (11-3) In rear, smooth headway 3 out, challenged leader travelling well before last, kept on well run-in, won at Newcastle 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov beating Kensington Art (11-12) by 2l, 9 ran.
Jack Yeats (IRE) 40-1 (11-9) Led, not fluent and headed briefly 6th, soon led again, headed 3 out, soon ridden, faded next, 11th of 12, 22 1/4l behind Spark Of Madness (10-12) at Ayr 2m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Lock Down Luke 15-2 (11-1) Raced keenly, held up, not fluent 6th, mistake next, headway to chase leaders before 3 out, ridden before next, plugged on after last, 4th of 7, 7 1/4l behind Foster'sisland (11-7) at Ayr 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Duty Calls (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Rear, headway into mid-division after 3 out, ridden and hit 2 out, no extra thereafter, 7th of 11, 9l behind Nells Son (11-4) at Kelso 2m mdn (4) gd in Oct.