held up, not fluent 8th, ridden 12th, never a factor
tracked leaders, led and mistake 3rd, headed 17th, outpaced from next, kept on
mid-division, headway 15th, chased winner approaching 4 out, weakening when mistake and jumped left 2 out
held up, headway 16th, ridden when mistake 4 out, blundered badly 3 out, kept on to chase winner, flat, always held
in touch, mistake 8th, weakened 16th
held up, never a factor
held up towards rear, some progress 8th, weakened and mistake 16th
mid-division, ridden to chase leaders 15th, weakened 17th
led, headed 3rd, led soon after 18th and clear, ran on
tracked leader, weakened 17th, pulled up and dismounted 4 out
in touch, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out
Millards Lad was a decent point-to-pointer and has now won his three starts over fences; he is taken to win again at the main expense of Sprosser, The Dark Lord and the returning Russian Gigolo. The selection has risen 10lb in the handicap since his last win however his winning streak may not yet be at an end. He has been finishing his races strongly so the step up in trip should be of no concern and proven on varying ground, he looks the percentage call. The Dark Lord continues to run well in defeat but may just be high enough in the weights, so of more interest could be Ferimon who has winning course form. Sprosser won well last month at Fakenham and seems to be going the right way so further improvement should not be ruled out, along with Spring Lover who should have come on for his recent run. Russian Gigolo comes from a stable who are renowned for getting a horse ready after long breaks however this would be some performance. Borehill Joker and Caislean Na Deirge have place claims, however it is Millards Lad who can win again.
Mr Ed (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Always behind, weakened after 12th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Principe Azzurro (10-11) at Bangor 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov, 13 ran.
Ferimon 5-1 (11-12) In touch, pecked 2nd, led 6th, kept on, won at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Nov beating Cassia Heights (10-5) by 2l, 11 ran.
Sprosser (IRE) 10-11fav (11-0) Tracked leader, led 14th, ridden clear 2 out, won at Fakenham 3m nov chs (3) gd in Nov beating Delightful Cliche (11-0) by 17l, 4 ran.
Millards Lad (IRE) 5-2fav (11-8) Made all, wanted to edge right from 10th, ridden and hung right from 2 out, driven out, won at N Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Aug beating Magical Harry (11-7) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
The Dark Lord (IRE) 5-1 (11-9) Led to 8th, rallied 3 out, soon chased winner, no impression, 2nd of 9, 6l behind Brooklyn Brownie (11-7) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Russian Gigolo (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) In touch, left in lead 11th, ridden 2 out, blundered and headed last, rallied towards finish, unlucky, 2nd of 9, shd behind Luneray (11-10) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-120 (D) gd in Nov '05.
Spare Change (IRE) 40-1 (9-7) Chased leaders, mistake 9th, 6th and just in touch when fell at the 12th in race won by Hordago (10-1) at Cheltenham 3m amt hcp chs 0-140 (2) gd in Nov, 13 ran.
Liverpool Echo (FR) 25-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, lost place approachig 7th, headway 13th, ridden 4 out, soon weakened, 6th of 11, 16l behind Ferimon (11-12) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Nov.
Spring Lover (FR) 11-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, hit 2 out, held when mistake last, 3rd of 8, 7l behind Herecomestanley (11-1) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Nov.
Borehill Joker 9-1 (10-13) Prominent, ridden 4 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 9, 5l behind Cassia Heights (10-0) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Nov.
Caislean Na Deirge (IRE) 9-1 (10-13) Towards rear, headway 4 out, soon ridden to chase leaders, one pace, 5th of 16, 7l behind Lady Roania (11-7) at Ludlow 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Nov.
Rash Moment (FR) 16-1 (11-9) Held up, progress 6th, steadied before 9th, headway 12th, mistake 16th, weakened 4 out, 6th of 8, 31l behind Dun Drinan (11-5) at Warwick 3m 2f cnd hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Nov.
