tracked leaders in 4th, challenged after 2 out, soon ridden, weakened after last
tracked leader, blundered badly 13th, challenged after 2 out, led after last, hard ridden and kept on under pressure
headway after 2 out, hung right and weakened from last
tracked leaders, weakened 14th
led, soon clear, hit 10th, ridden after 2 out, headed after last, kept on gamely flat, held near finish
MONEY TRIX can take this leap up in class to see off Cloudy Lane and Brave Rebellion. Nicky Richards has made no secret of the regard in which he holds this horse and while this is an ambitious pursuit, the way in which he jumped at Carlisle was way beyond what was anticipated on the day and he duly dotted up. Cloudy Lane handles soft ground adequately. Last seen when falling in this year's Grand National, this represents something of a baptism of fire as seasonal reappearances go. On the positive, he has been able to bully small fields in the past. Brave Rebellion was disappointing at Market Rasen. He is more than capable of causing an upset but his temperament has given plenty of cause for concern. Nirvana Swing and Belon Gale should not want for race fitness. Both would need to produce a career best to give themselves any chance of wrestling the spoils. Money Trix appears to be an individual of considerable promise and he can add further weight to that reputation here.
Cloudy Lane 50-1 (11-10) Mid-division, blundered and unseated rider 15th (Canal Turn), in a race won by Mon Mome (11-0) at Aintree 4m 4f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) gs in Apr, 40 ran.
Money Trix (IRE) 10-3 (11-10) Held up in touch, tracked leaders in 3rd 5 out, led 2 out, stayed on well, won at Carlisle 3m grad ch (2) sft in Nov beating Companero (11-10) by 6l, 7 ran.
Brave Rebellion 16-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, kept on from 3 out, never near leaders, 4th of 7, 24l behind Crocodiles Rock (11-9) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Nov.
Nirvana Swing (FR) 11-4fav (11-2) Prominent, led 3 out, kept on from last, driven out, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov beating Hockenheim (11-6) by 4 1/2l, 7 ran.
Belon Gale (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, led 4 out, blundered next, soon headed, ridden 2 out, kept on under pressure flat, no impression, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Zitenka (11-11) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Nov.
