prominent until after 2nd, ridden and lost place before next, behind when blundered and unseated 4th
tracked leaders, hit 5th, hampered 7th, not fluent and lost place 8th, one pace and no impression from 4 out, went 4th from last
prominent on outside, ridden after 8th, no impression from 3 out
mid-division, headway on inside 4 out, switched left before 2 out, went 3rd when not fluent last, stayed on same pace, no impression on winner
behind, just about in touch 4 out, mistake and well beaten 3 out
jumped left at times, made all, clear before last, stayed on
held up towards rear, headway 8th, went 2nd after 3 out, no impression on winner before last, stayed on same pace
mid-division, not fluent 5th, ridden next, struggling after 8th
mid-division, headway 8th, one pace before 2 out, weakened flat
took keen hold, jumped left, prominent, not fluent 6th or 7th, weakened before 3 out
held up in rear, just about in touch before 4 out, blundered and well beaten next
held up towards rear, headway 3rd, went 2nd 8th until after 3 out, weakened flat
This looks tricky as Truckers Highway was possibly flattered by last week's margin of victory at Ludlow when allowed an easy lead. Larkhall has impressive form figures but steps up a grade for this after scoring narrowly over 2m4f on fast going here last month and will also carry more than his allotted weight. YOUM JAMIL is a just a pound out of the handicap and proved he handled this sort of ground when second last time at Fakenham. He gets a tentative vote as this looks too short for pointer Thoonavolla though Stormbay Bomber, Grand March and Big Night Out could all make their presence felt.
Instinctual 20-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway after 8th, weakened before 3 out, tailed off, 13th of 15, dist behind Kublai (11-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Grand March 8-1 (11-12) In touch, pecked 2nd, chased winner after 3 out until next, ridden before last, weakened run-in, 4th of 8, 18 1/2l behind Moscow Me (11-1) at Towcester 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Stormbay Bomber (IRE) 5-2fav (11-11) Led, headed before 2 out, weakened before last, 8th of 11, 20 1/2l behind Theredballoon (10-11) at Southwell 2m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Theflyingportrait (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Towards rear, headway before 5 out, ridden before last, kept on same pace, 4th of 11, 5 3/4l behind Retrieve The Stick (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Big Night Out 25-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway to join leader 4th, one pace 2 out, soon ridden, no impression with front pair from last, lost 3rd flat, 4th of 10, 8 1/2l behind Stoneham (10-13) at Worcester 2m mdn (4) gd in Jun.
Truckers Highway (IRE) 11-2 (10-7) Jumped slightly left, made all, clear 2 out, went badly left and not fluent last, unchallenged, won at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Gallic Warrior (11-12) by 8l, 8 ran.
Thoonavolla (IRE) 6-4fav (11-0) Hdwy 11; led app 3 out; easy, won at Chaddesley Corbett 3m gf in May beating Skating Home (11-0) by 15l, 8 ran.
School For Scandal (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Held up in 5th, weakened 9th, soon behind, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
It's Oscar (IRE) 9-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway 14th, ridden after next, weakening when jumped right 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, at Ludlow 3m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Four Shuck Men (IRE) 20-1 (10-6) Led until blundered 4 out, weakened before next, pulled up approaching 2 out, at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Youm Jamil (USA) 12-1 (10-0) In touch in 5th, tracked leaders 3 out, chased winner between last 2, ridden and every chance last, kept on one pace, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Marky Bob (11-9) at Fakenham 2m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Larkhall 9-2 (10-3) In rear, headway 8th, ridden before last, kept on to lead run-in, won at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (5) gf in Nov beating Lost In Newyork (10-1) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
