prominent, ridden to lead 3 out, headed towards finish
in touch, ridden after 5th, soon weakened
led, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened flat
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
in touch, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2 out
held up, headway 4th, mistake 5th, ridden to go 2nd approaching 2 out, no fluent last, stayed on to lead towards finish
in touch to 5th, soon behind
Blackthorn, Major Jon, and Kildee Lass are the three shortlisted here with Blackthorn given the nod. Major Jon has been out of form recently but he did win at Clonmel a year ago on testing ground and given that the conditions are set to be similar here he cannot be discounted. He is certainly well treated on his best form and could hit the frame at a nice price. Kildee Lass has not won for two years but has run well in better company on her most recent starts. She does have a ten month lay off to overcome but she finished second on her only previous venture into selling class and is respected. Blackthorn is probably more exposed at this level than some of his rivals but he has won twice at this level, including a win last time over this course and distance in similar ground. That was only a weak race, but this is little better, and after his first run for eight months Blackthorn can come on for the run and may prove too sharp for his rivals.
Blackthorn 5-2 (11-3) Made all, clear last, driven out, won at Leicester 2m sll hdl (4) hvy in Nov beating A Double Ewe Bee (10-3) by 7l, 7 ran.
Benefit Fund (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, mistake and unseated rider at the 4th in race won by Jam Packed (10-9) at Towcester 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Oct, 8 ran.
Major Jon (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Made most to 5th, weakened next, 8th of 11, 34l behind Aberdeen Park (10-5) at Towcester 2m sll hdl (5) gs in Nov.
Gawrosz (POL) 40-1 (9-4) Towards rear, ridden and weakened 6f out, 11th of 12, well behind Starcross Maid (9-1) at Southwell 1m 4f clm (6) fbs in Jul (Flat).
Pop Gun 33-1 (10-5) Mid-division, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, hung left and weakened approaching last, 6th of 11, 23l behind Papillon de Iena (11-0) at Chepstow 2m sll hdl (5) sft in Nov.
Sheriff's Deputy 66-1 (11-0) Pulled hard in rear, jumped slowly second, ridden after 5th, so well behind, tailed off, 13th of 15, well behind Kontinent (11-0) at Stratford 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Kildee Lass 10-1 (11-7) Held up, in touch, chased leaders approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 5th of 14, 19l behind Bally Bolshoi (11-3) at Chepstow 2m mrs hcp hdl (5) sft in Jan.
Rosemary's Fancy 40-1 (9-12) Held up, hit 1st, mistake 5th, weakened quickly, last of 7, well behind Blackthorn (11-3) at Leicester 2m sll hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
