mid-division, headway 3 out, soon ridden, weakened between last 2
mid-division, weakened 3 out
made most until approaching 2 out, one pace
mid-division, pushed along 3 out, no impression when blundered next
held up towards rear, headway under pressure approaching 2 out, kept on same pace from last
tracked leaders, headway to chase winner after 3 out, ridden between last 2, held flat
always behind
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, weakened next
mid-division, headway 3 out, effort 2 out, weakened last
tracked leaders, led approaching 2 out, stayed on strongly
mid-division, weakened 2 out
towards rear, ridden 3 out, no impression
towards rear struggling halfway
close up, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2out
NonRunner
Doesyourdogbite won this last year off a 5lb higher mark but recent form leaves much to be desired. Dashing Oscar has won both starts this year at a higher level so has to go on the short-list. Kildisart is improving and making his handicap debut while Golan Fortune bounced back to form at Ascot earlier this month. JALEO‘s career has been a little stop-start but he’s more than capable and will have benefited from his run at Cheltenham, his first in almost nine months. Alex Ferguson takes off a handy 7lb so he’s preferred to Connetable, who has been steadily coming to hand but has been raised 5lb for a narrow defeat at Sandown. Whatduhavtoget and Wolfcatcher may be best of the rest with Take To Heart looking in the handicapper’s grip now.
Our Kaempfer (IRE) 14-1 (11-8) Behind, blundered 4 out, soon pulled up, never dangerous, at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp lst (1) sft in Dec.
Dashing Oscar (IRE) 2-1fav (11-0) Made all, jumped well, driven approaching last, ran on well, won at Bangor 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Nov beating Clondaw Kaempfer (10-10) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
Connetable (FR) 4-1 (10-9) Led, mistake 8th, strongly challenged 2 out, soon headed, rallied and every chance from last, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 8, nk behind Holly Bush Henry (10-12) at Sandown 2m 7f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Minella Charmer (IRE) 28-1 (11-8) Held up off the pace towards rear, disputing well held 6th when fell 2 out, at Chepstow 2m hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Jaleo (GER) 25-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, steady headway approaching 3 out, plugged on one pace and no impression run-in, 7th of 12, 9 1/4l behind Old Guard (11-12) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Kildisart (IRE) 11-4fav (11-0) Led until 3 out, pressed leader, led again last, driven clear run-in, won at Ascot 2m 3f mdn (3) gs in Nov beating King Of Realms (11-0) by 2l, 15 ran.
Doesyourdogbite (IRE) 12-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, jumped slowly 4th, weakened after 4 out, tailed off, last of 12, dist behind Old Guard (11-12) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Whatduhavtoget (IRE) 9-2 (12-1) Held up in rear, keen early, headway before 2 out, chased leaders last, stayed on well closing stages, never a threat, 4th of 8, 7 1/4l behind Awesome Rosie (11-6) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Midnight Maestro 5-2fav (11-1) Blundered badly and swerved left 1st, always towards rear, not fluent next, never a factor, 10th of 12, 27 3/4l behind Verdana Blue (11-11) at Ascot 2m hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Golan Fortune (IRE) 6-1 (11-8) Chased leader, hit 4 out, led well before 2 out, strongly pressed from 2 out, stayed on gamely to assert final 150 yards, won going away, won at Ascot 2m 6f hcp (3) gs in Dec beating The Mighty Don (11-12) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Shanroe Saint 14-1 (10-12) Led until approaching 2 out, weakening when mistake last, 5th of 6, 16 1/4l behind Ainchea (10-12) at Sandown 2m (3) gs in Dec.
Wolfcatcher (IRE) 5-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, headway on inside 7th, ridden when mistake 2 out, stayed on same pace flat, 3rd of 10, 6 1/4l behind Fixed Rate (10-13) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Mr Fickle (IRE) 16-1 (11-11) Always in rear, under pressure 5 out, soon beaten, 8th of 9, 20 1/2l behind The Game Is A Foot (10-13) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Rothman (FR) 5-2 (11-7) Led, stayed alone on inside in back straight, pushed along after 3 out, 2 lengths ahead and driven last, caught post, 2nd of 8, shd behind Sandhurst Lad (11-3) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Take To Heart 5-1 (11-6) Held up and always behind, tailed off, 7th of 9, dist behind Count Meribel (11-6) at Ascot 2m 6f (2) gs in Nov.
