held up, headway tracking leaders 4th, went 2nd and hit 3 out, ridden before next where jumped left, driven to lead before the last, kept on strongly run-in
held up in mid-division, headway tracking leaders 9th, mistake 13th, weakened next, tailed off
jumped left, held up in mid-division, steady headway tracking leaders 9th, mistake 13th, pushed along and outpaced in 5th after 4 out, rallied before the last, kept on into 3rd final 100 yards
tracked leaders on inside, ridden before 3 out, handy 3rd when blundered 2 out, went 2nd approaching last, one pace and no impression run-in
raced wide, led until 5th, pressed leader, led again 11th until 4 out, chased leader until after 3 out, weakening when tired jump next
mistakes,always behind, blundered badly 3rd, pushed along and struggling before 12th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
raced keenly, went right 1st, pressed leader, led 5th until 11th, led again 4 out, slight lead when pecked 2 out, ridden and headed before the last, soon dropped to 3rd, weakened into 4th 100 yards out
always in rear, struggling after 9th, soon lost touch, tailed off
This looks a competitive finale as Out Sam was still in touch when falling last time at Cheltenham and may do better on this easier track. BALLY LONGFORD finished third in that Cheltenham race on his first try at 3m having looked the likely winner approaching the last. He should also be more at home here and gets the nod. More Buck's is improving but will have to defy another career-high mark if he’s to complete the hat-trick. Double Shuffle steps up in trip and wears a hood for the first time after disappointing since a promising reappearance while Go Conquer fell at the first on his comeback. Opening Batsman needs to rediscover his best if he’s to land this, though does like it here.
Double Shuffle (IRE) 11-2 (11-6) Close up, outpaced from 10th, 5th of 8, 16l behind Roman Flight (11-4) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Bally Longford (IRE) 12-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, not fluent 8th, 2nd 12th until hit 17th, hit 4 out, led before 2 out, over 3 lengths clear before last, headed flat, no extra close home, 3rd of 12, 3 3/4l behind Theatre Guide (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (1) gd in Dec.
Out Sam 5-1jfav (10-5) Mistakes towards rear, headway on inside after 16th, 6th when fell 5 out, at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (1) gd in Dec.
Go Conquer (IRE) 7-1 (10-7) Tracking leaders, fell 1st, at Ascot 3m hcp lst (1) gs in Dec.
Opening Batsman (IRE) 10-3 (11-3) Held up in rear, closer order 11th, hit 14th, bad mistake next, weakened 4 out, soon lost touch, went badly right and blundered last, tailed off, last of 5, dist behind Loose Chips (11-1) at Sandown 3m hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Buddy Bolero (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Mid-division, hampered 4 out, soon chased leaders, ridden after 2 out, went 3rd after last, kept on flat, not reach front pair, 3rd of 24, 13 1/4l behind The Package (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (2) gd in Mar.
More Buck's (IRE) 3-1fav (11-12) Made all, blundered 15th, not fluent next (water), clear after 2 out, idled and driven run-in, held on, won at Sandown 3m hcp (3) gd in Dec beating Azure Fly (11-7) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Howlongisafoot (IRE) 33-1 (10-6) Mid-division, not much room 3rd, lost place 5th, fell 12th (canal turn), at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
