held up in rear, beaten after 3 out, tailed off
chased leaders, every chance approaching 2 out, weakened before last
held up in rear, blundered 3rd, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, kept on same pace closing stages
led, keen, headed after 2nd, led again 4 out, headed 2 out, weakened flat
held up in rear, beaten 3 out
prominent, led after 2nd, headed 4 out, under pressure after next, weakened approaching last
mid-division, headway 2 out, soon chasing leaders, kept on under pressure, never a threat
chased leaders, led 2 out, ran on well
held up, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, stayed on into 2nd approaching last, never troubled winner
NonRunner
NonRunner
Richard Johnson was on board when He's A Goer scored at Warwick in September though that was on good ground and the four-year-old makes his handicap debut under a big weight. The Cannister Man also makes his handicap bow and he made all for a very easy victory on testing ground at Exeter in April so could be anything. Clayton scored over the track and trip on soft ground but didn't appear to handle heavy going on his next two starts so further rain would probably scupper his chances. Eddiemaurice wins his share and was in excellent form around this time a year ago in better company so would have a chance if ready but CHIEF BRODY (NAP), a 25l winner on heavy going at Warwick in March, looks the one to be on after returning to action with a very good second off a 13lb higher mark on the same track. Flat winner Oden has shown nothing over timber but Volpone Jelois has won his share of races for Paul Nicholls and has his first start for Chris Gordon.
He's A Goer (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, hanging left after 2 out, lost place and eased on last bend, soon pulled up, at Hereford 2m 4f (4) gs in Nov.
Clayton 2-1fav (11-12) Held up in last pair, hit 5th, good headway in 3rd 3 out, 2nd on long run soon after, led 2 out, 2 lengths ahead last, driven run-in, headed and no extra final 50 yards, 2nd of 5, 1l behind Northandsouth (10-0) at Lingfield 2m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Eddiemaurice (IRE) 12-1 (8-10) Tracked leaders until lost place before halfway, rallied under pressure over 2f out, plugged on in 4th, 4th of 8, 11 3/4l behind Stanley (9-6) at Salisbury 1m 6f hcp (4) gs in May.
Royal Sunday (FR) 40-1 (11-5) Prominent, not fluent 2nd, weakened and pulled up before 2 out, at Sandown 2m hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Volpone Jelois (FR) 6-4jfav (11-9) Stumbled 1st, tracked clear leader, pushed along and closer before 2 out, every chance after last, one pace towards finish, 2nd of 5, nk behind Borak (10-12) at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (4) fm in Oct.
Gregarious (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Towards rear, slow and last 4th, awkward 3 out, tailed off, 13th of 20, 29l behind Totterdown (11-12) at Sandown 2m hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Chief Brody 7-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway 4 out, challenged after next, driven to lead narrowly before 2 out, ridden and headed flat, kept on same pace, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Master Work (11-7) at Warwick 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
The Gipper (IRE) 9-1 (11-8) Tracked leader, chased leaders 3 out, weakened from 2 out, 7th of 9, 20 1/2l behind Oskar Denarius (11-0) at Worcester 2m hcp (4) gd in May.
Oden 50-1 (10-12) Towards rear most of way, 9th of 18, 37 3/4l behind Champagne Court (10-12) at Lingfield 2m (4) gs in Nov.
The Cannister Man (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Led until before 2nd, led again approaching 4th, made rest came clear before 3 out, very easily, won at Exeter 2m 1f mdn (5) hvy in Apr beating Bellamy's Grey (10-12) by 17l, 12 ran.
Harmonise 66-1 (11-0) Prominent, pecked 3rd, lost place before 3 out, pulled up after 3 out, at Sandown 2m hcp (3) hvy in Nov.