held up, mistake and unseated rider 1st
raced out wide in 5th and pushed along at times, dropped to rear at 10th, outpaced before 4 out, stayed on again run-in, went remote 3rd towards finish
led until 2 out, readily held between last two, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner
raced wide tracking leader, not fluent 6th, lost 2nd 4 out, pushed along before 3 out, soon lost 3rd, weakened
close 3rd, went 2nd 4 out, led 2 out, came easily clear between last two, stayed on strongly
held up last, mistake 2nd, gained a place at 10th, outpaced and struggling 4 out, closer on inside 3 out, weakened next
tracked leaders on inside, pushed along before 3 out, went modest 3rd 3 out, weakened into 4th towards finish
Dan Skelton sent out the winner of this 12 months ago and Dog Of War is likely to be match-fit, despite a lengthy absence from the racecourse. MAJOR DUNDEE is having a first run since October but goes well fresh and has been waiting for this better ground. Last year’s Scottish Grand National third gets the nod in a competitive handicap ahead of Mumbo Jumbo, who should stay 3m around here. Killer Kane is more than capable in this grade and a previous course and distance winner but his stable is struggling for winners at present. Dorking Lad tries a new trip but was impressive over 2m4f here in November and may be capable of better.
Dorking Lad 7-2 (11-2) Mid-division on inside, closer at 7th, went 3rd turning in, jumped into the lead 3 out, soon clear, stayed on strongly, won at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Nov beating The Edgar Wallace (12-0) by 16l, 10 ran.
Major Dundee (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Chased leaders, lost position 12th, pushed along and well beaten 3 out, 10th of 13, 23 3/4l behind Our Power (11-2) at Ascot 3m hcp (1) gd in Oct.
Jeremy Pass (IRE) 15-2 (12-0) Ran a bit in snatches, chased leaders out wide, hit 12th, pushed along and struggling in last on long run before 5 out, tailed off and pulled up soon after, at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Valsheda 20-1 (11-7) Always rear-division, tailed off and pulled up before 5 out, at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Killer Kane (IRE) 13-2 (11-6) Chased leaders, went 2nd 9th until 13th, chased leaders, no extra in 4th from 2 out, 4th of 13, 10l behind Grumpy Charley (12-0) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Dog Of War (FR) 4-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, closed from 10th, close 3rd 3 out, pushed along before 2 out, every chance just after last, held and lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 7, 1 3/4l behind Lord Accord (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Mumbo Jumbo (IRE) 11-4 (10-9) Prominent, ridden and outpaced after 2 out, kept on same pace from last, lost 2nd run-in, 3rd of 5, 7l behind Solo (11-10) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
