led until after 2nd, soon in touch, lost place 12th, weakened 6 out, soon tailed off
mid-division, slow 2nd, under pressure 12th, weakened 5 out, pulled up before next
mid-division, headway to chase leaders 4 out, led 2 out, jumped left last, ran on
in touch, ridden to challenge when hit 3 out, mistake next, weakened flat
prominent, led after 2nd, jumped left throughout, mistake when headed 2 out, rallied last, no extra closing stages
prominent, slow 4th, weakened 12th, behind from 6 out, pulled up before 4 out
held up in rear, headway to chase leaders after 3rd, effort 3 out, weakened before last
held up, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, weakened after 2 out
in touch, lost place 8th, weakened 5 out, pulled up next
held up in rear, slow 9th, blundered 6 and 5 out, pulled up before next
prominent, pushed along 12th, weakened 5 out
Red Devil Lads started his successful run at this time a year ago and won four of his five starts. He should still be on the upgrade and Rebecca Curtis will have him primed. WHAT A WARRIOR (NAP) won a similar grade handicap over the track and trip last October in impressive fashion then landed a Grade 3 at Ascot. He has competed against stronger opposition than this subsequently and back in this grade can concede weight all round. Useful hurdler Katkeau made a successful start over fences at Fakenham last month where he beat the long odds-on Southfield Vic. He's a nice prospect and should be winning again soon as should Gallery Exhibition, who gained his third victory over fences at Kempton last month.
What A Warrior (IRE) 13-2 (10-7) Led until 10th, pressed leader, led again 13th, driven before 2 out, headed soon after 2 out, chased winner but held when lost 2nd at the last, lost 3rd towards finish, 4th of 15, 7l behind Pendra (10-7) at Ascot 3m hcp (1) gd in Oct.
Gallery Exhibition (IRE) 8-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd from 11th, led 2 out, soon clear, won at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Nov beating Risk A Fine (11-12) by 6l, 8 ran.
Katkeau (FR) 5-2 (11-2) Close up in 3rd, led 10th, ridden approaching last, stayed on, won at Fakenham 3m (3) gs in Nov beating Southfield Vic (11-2) by 1 1/4l, 3 ran.
The Tourard Man (IRE) 9-4 (11-1) Chased leaders, went 2nd from 11th until after 13th, ridden before 4 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 5, dist behind Native River (11-1) at Exeter 3m (2) sft in Nov.
Red Devil Lads (IRE) 4-1 (11-9) Led to 3rd, tracked clear leader, mistake 8th, hit 11th, close up 2 out, soon ridden, led flat, kept on, won at Ffos Las 3m 1f hcp (3) gs in Apr beating Still Believing (10-3) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Azure Fly (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Prominent, every chance 3 out, soon outpaced, no extra from 2 out, 11th of 17, 19l behind Sausalito Sunrise (11-3) at Cheltenham 3m 3f hcp (1) gs in Nov.
Gorsky Island 7-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, not fluent 4th, one pace 2 out, mistake last, weakened into 4th flat, 4th of 11, 15 1/4l behind Net Work Rouge (11-5) at Warwick 3m 2f (4) gs in Nov.
It's A Steal (IRE) 5-2fav (11-3) Tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced after 13th, went 3rd and stayed on from 3 out, went 2nd flat, no impression on winner, 2nd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Rio Milan (10-0) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Apr.
Handy Andy (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, hit 13th, pushed along before next, weakened before 4 out, poor 4th when mistake 3 out and pulled up, at Fontwell 3m 1f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Goodtoknow 7-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, led after 14th, not fluent and headed 15th, led again 17th, headed 2 out, no impression on winner and one pace flat, 2nd of 10, 7l behind Tinker Time (11-5) at Ludlow 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Drumshambo (USA) 10-3 (11-9) Led until 1st, chased leader until 4th, not fluent 7th, 8th or 4 out, every chance 4 out, no extra 2 out, went well held 3rd briefly flat, 4th of 8, 19 1/2l behind Rouge Et Blanc (11-7) at Newbury 2m 2f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
