Chased leader, headway to lead before 2 out, ridden clear after last
Midfield, nudged along before 5 out, lost position before 3 out
Mid-division, headway to chase leaders 3 out, ridden before 2 out, no extra after last
Soon led, ridden and headed before 2 out, weakened
Held up, some minor late headway
Always behind
Held up, keen, no impression after 4 out, pulled up
Chased leaders, headway after 3 out, ridden before 2 out, went 2nd before last, kept on
Held up, headway 3 out, joined leaders before 2 out, no extra after last
Winning point-to-pointer Annual Invictus led for a long way on his reappearance at Ascot and battled back when headed. He'll improve for the run though the four-year-old THE MICK PRESTON will take some beating. An easy bumper winner at Hereford last December, he returned to action with a fine effort behind the long odds-on Flic Ou Voyou, who had won his previous race and scored at Wincanton subsequently, at Newton Abbot last month. Mongol Emperor won a point-to-point in March and looked in need of further than this when staying on at Newbury three weeks ago. Itsnotwhatyouthink has run very well in two bumpers at Fontwell and is one to keep an eye on.
Annual Invictus (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Led until 2 out, left 2nd last, stayed on, held close home, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Captain Morgs (10-12) at Ascot 2m (3) sft in Oct.
Dolphin Vista (IRE) 28-1 (11-0) Close up, mistake 1st, not fluent 2nd, 4th and 5th, pushed along and struggling before 2 out, kept on but well held closing stages, 5th of 8, 25 1/2l behind Adrimel (11-0) at Sandown 2m mdn (4) sft in Nov.
Itsnotwhatyouthink (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Midfield, headway back straight, chased leaders and ridden home turn, went third over 2f out, ran on to grab second final 100yds, 2nd of 13, 2 1/4l behind World Of Dreams (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 2f (5) gs in Nov.
John Betjeman 50-1 (9-7) Prominent, pushed along over 3f out, soon weakened, last of 8, 14 3/4l behind Sir Plato (9-4) at Chepstow 7f hcp (5) gd in Jul.
Mongol Emperor (IRE) 150-1 (10-12) Mid-division, closer before 3rd, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 12, 15l behind Dusart (10-12) at Newbury 2m (4) gd in Nov.
My Last Oscar (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Held up and behind, progress 5f out, pushed along and weakened well over 2f out, 6th of 7, 20 1/4l behind Elleon (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m (5) hvy in Nov.
Pour Me A Drink 6-1 (10-1) Mid-division, took closer order over 5f out, pushed along 3f out, soon ridden, made no impression and weakened 1f out, 14th of 15, 10 1/2l behind Our Girl Sheila (8-3) at Hamilton 1m 1f hcp (4) gs in Aug.
Stormbomber (CAN) 50-1 (9-4) In touch, ridden over 2f out, headway approaching final furlong, kept on one pace, 6th of 12, 4 1/2l behind Born A King (9-5) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (5) pol in Sep.
The Mick Preston (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Mid-division on outside, went badly left 1st, headway after 4th, went left next, chased winner before 2 out, no impression, kept on, 2nd of 9, 3 3/4l behind Flic Ou Voyou (11-4) at Newton Abbot 2m 1f (4) gs in Oct.
Touch Tight (IRE) 150-1 (10-12) In rear, outpaced 6th, 7th of 9, dist behind Pink Sheets (11-5) at Kempton 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Reeceltic 20-1 (10-12) Held up in last pair when veered badly left and unseated rider 2nd, at Fontwell 2m 2f mdn (4) gd in May.
