tracked leaders, driven 5th, weakened next, pulled up before 7th
towards rear, struggled on
in touch, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, one pace
mid-division, ridden 5th, headway 7th, outpaced after 4 out, stayed on
towards rear, brief effort 6th, behind when pulled up before 3 out
always in rear, behind 5th, pulled up before 3 out
towards rear, reminders 5th, brief effort approaching 6th, behind when pulled up approaching 3 out
tracked leaders, mistake 3 out, led 2 out, driven out
mid-division, headway 6th, ridden to chase leaders soon after, pulled up before 2 out
led, ridden when headed 2 out, weakened flat
mid-division, weakened 7th
tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, weakened and pulled up next
mid-division, ridden 7th, struggled on
always in rear, pulled up before 3 out
always in rear, jumped slowly 2nd, pulled up before 3 out
Merlin's Magic looks the one to be with and he is preferred over Mealagh Valley and Lord Adonis. The selection put in a below-par effort last time but his run behind Breedsbreeze reads well in the context of this race as that horse has since been out and won in convincing fashion. Mealagh Valley looks a big danger though as this lightly-raced 7-year-old was a good second behind Quarry Town last time, form which was franked in convincing fashion on Saturday. Lord Adonis is eased in grade but he may strip fitter for this run and he is probably best watched on this occasion. The Good Guy showed promise in a bumper on his debut and he is also worth considering, but there are some nice types in opposition here and Merlin's Magic is the pick.
Coast Of Malabar (IRE) 80-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, hung right after 4th, never dangerous after, 9th of 15, well behind What A Friend (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Dandivito 100-1 (10-12) Held up, ridden and weakened 8th, soon tailed off, 6th of 9, well behind Herecomesthetruth (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Hammer Time (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Led and soon 15 lengths clear, hung badly right and ran out 4 out in race won by What A Friend (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec, 15 ran.
Kate's Gift 25-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on same pace from 2 out, 3rd of 15, 14l behind Petit Robin (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Knight of Light (IRE) 6-1 (10-13) Led until 4th, chased leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 5th of 10, 47l behind Ardente Sauvage (10-8) at N Abbot 2m 3f mdn hdl (5) sft in Aug.
Leading Article (IRE) 18-1 (11-2) Held up, headway after 7th, driven along after 8th, mistake and weakened 9th, well behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Noble Action (11-2) at Bangor 3m mdn hdl (4) gd in May, 9 ran.
Lord Adonis (IRE) 200-1 (11-0) Not fluent, always rear, 16th of 23, well behind Katchit (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nov hdl Grd 1 (1) gs in Mar.
Mealagh Valley (IRE) 11-4 (10-12) In touch, chased leader 3 out, led briefly 2 out, one pace, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Quarry Town (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Merlin's Magic (FR) 9-4 (10-12) Held up, closer order 5th, every chance approaching 3 out, soon ridden and weakened, 5th of 9, 37l behind Herecomesthetruth (10-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
The Good Guy (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) Led and set steady pace, ridden over 2f out, headed over 1f out, no further impression, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Hold Em (11-9) at Ludlow 2m nhf (5) gf in Oct.
Drumroe 100-1 (10-3) Always in rear, 8th of 16, 28l behind Daraz Rose (10-5) at Ludlow 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Maizy Missile (IRE) 66-1 (10-5) Always in rear, 11th of 12, 27l behind Quarry Town (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Nakoma (IRE) 10-3 (10-10) In touch, ridden and weakened after 4 out, 5th of 16, 6l behind Daraz Rose (10-5) at Ludlow 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Pasqualina Mia 100-1 (10-0) Mistakes, always behind, 10th of 14, 38l behind Spud (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Touch Of Velvet 66-1 (10-7) Not fluent, always behind, tailed off after 7th and pulled up 2 out in race won by Oniphlaure (11-0) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec, 14 ran.
Tyrana (GER) 200-1 (10-5) Always behind, 14th of 16, well behind One Gulp (11-1) at Leicester 2m 4f nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
