towards rear, headway 13th, plugged on one pace
led, headed 12th, weakened 13th, behind when pulled up before 4 out
tracked leader, led 12th, headed 15th, slightly outpaced 4 out, headed, plugged on again
held up, headway 14th, led 4 out, easy
mid-division, brief effort 14th
mid-division, not fluent 1st, behind from 7th
mid-division, headway to chase leaders 7th, close up when pecked 12th, beaten 2 out
in touch, led 15th, ridden when headed approaching 4 out, weakened 2 out, mistake last
mid-division, driven from 10th, soon beaten
tracked leaders, weakening when mistake 11th
tracked leaders, weakened 5 out
mid-division, headway to join leaders 6th, weakened 12th, pulled up before 4 out
Ashwell, Mr Ironman and Walsingham are the three for the shortlist here and narrow preference is for Mr Ironman. The selection ran well in third behind Elsie's Pride at Towcester last time and he should be seen to even better effect over today's trip as he has bags of stamina. Ashwell disappointed last time and the handicapper may now have his measure so at the forecast odds he could be one to swerve. Walsingham is another that may need some respite from the handicapper before he is able to resume winning ways, although he is entitled to go well. No Greater Love was a little disappointing last time at Ascot and this trip will stretch his stamina to the limit. The same can't be said about Mr Ironman who looks the one they all have to beat.
Croc An Oir (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) Held up mid-division, headway 14th, chased leaders 3 out, weakened next, 7th of 15, 9l behind Kathleens Pride (10-9) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Walsingham (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (9-7) Led, headed 3rd, led again 6th, headed 4 out, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 10, 9l behind Vinmix De Bessy (11-4) at Ludlow 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Dec.
Raki Rose 16-1 (11-4) In touch when fell at the 9th in race won by Hold The Bid (11-9) at Wetherby 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Dec, 11 ran.
Ashwell (IRE) 9-2 (11-9) Held up mid-division, headway approaching 7th, ridden 3 out, no impression, 3rd of 15, 18l behind Coe (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 7f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
No Greater Love (FR) 15-2 (10-8) In touch, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace from next, 5th of 17, 8l behind National Trust (11-7) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in Dec.
Mr Ironman 13-2 (10-10) In touch, mistake 7th, ridden and every chance 2 out, weakened last, 3rd of 11, 8l behind Elsie's Pride (11-3) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Dec.
Whistle Blowing (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Behind, headway 7th, weakened 4 out, 6th of 15, 22l behind Got The Gift (10-9) at Sedgefield 3m 3f cnd hcp chs (5) gd in Nov.
Mondial Jack (FR) 13-2 (11-4) Held up, hampered 4th, hard ridden, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 11, 22l behind Sou'wester (11-2) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft in Dec.
Earcomesannie (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) In touch, mistake 2nd, ridden 4 out, soon weakened, 5th of 9, 18l behind Bengo (11-2) at Leicester 2m 7f nov chs (4) gd in Dec.
Little Villain (IRE) 40-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, lost place and behind from 6th, 6th of 13, well behind Rimsky (10-11) at Towcester 2m 6f beg chs (5) sft in Dec.
Macreater 66-1 (10-7) Led, headed 7th, weakened 3 out, 3rd of 11, 13l behind Never So Blue (11-9) at Hereford 2m nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Dec.
Valley Warrior 12-1 (9-13) Held up towards rear, reminders 11th, headway before 14th, lost place 16th, 9th of 12, well behind Present M'lord (11-6) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Nov.
