in rear, headway before 7 out, ridden before last, kept on same pace
made all, kept on well from last
with leader, challenged and not fluent 4 out, ridden before last, no extra
tracked leaders, lost place before 6 out, weakened from 4 out, pulled up before last
held up towards rear, headway before 4 out, soon challenged, chased winner run-in, no impression
in touch on outer, challenged before 4 out, weakened before 3 out
Nonrunner
Sir Note lost nothing in defeat when chasing a four-timer at Aintree in June but it’s a worry that he hasn’t been seen since. HERONS HEIR finished tailed off that day but was probably lacking confidence after an earlier fall at Fakenham. He’s been travelling strongly and running well over hurdles this autumn and could make a successful return to chasing ahead of October’s Huntingdon winner Jackthejourneyman and the veteran Chestnut Ben. Little Pop has been let down by his jumping since scoring at Hereford in October.
Herons Heir (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, headway after 3 out, 3rd last, stayed on same pace flat, lost 3rd close home, 4th of 10, 2 1/4l behind New Member (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Sir Note (FR) 3-1fav (10-11) With leader, led 7th, blundered 4 out, headed when not fluent last, stayed on same pace, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Parsnip Pete (11-10) at Aintree 2m hcp (3) gs in Jun.
Little Pop 17-2 (10-10) Chased winner who was clear from 3rd, lost 2nd after 9th, pecked 3 out, mistake and weakened next, 5th of 8, 30 1/4l behind Sirabad (11-8) at Wincanton 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Paddy The Deejay (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Held up in mid-division, hampered 7th, not fluent 9th, weakened from 2 out, 8th of 14, 21 1/4l behind Goohar (11-4) at Towcester 2m 6f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Chestnut Ben (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) In touch in 4th, outpaced from 4 out, last of 6, 13 1/4l behind Discoverie (11-11) at Catterick 2m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Diamond Life 8-1 (11-8) Jumped left at times, held up, well behind from 3rd, left remote 3rd 4 out until 2 out, 4th of 6, 21 3/4l behind Unify (11-10) at Leicester 2m hcp (4) fm in Dec.
Jackthejourneyman (IRE) 7-4fav (11-7) Tracked leader until after 2 out, 3rd and beaten last, one pace, 3rd of 7, 10 1/2l behind Triggywinkle (10-2) at Wincanton 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov.