tracked leaders, led 4f out, came well clear over 1f out, very easily
took keen hold in last pair, headway on outside 5f out, chased leaders 4f out, weakened 2f out
led until ran wide on bend and headed over 11f out, chased leader until weakened 5f out, tailed off
unseated rider on way out and led to post, took keen hold, held up towards rear and raced wide, headway to go close up halfway, kept on one pace under pressure final 2f
chased leaders, went 2nd 4f out until 3f out, went 2nd again on inside over 2f out, no chance with very easy winner over 1f out,
took keen hold in 6th, dropped to rear halfway, never on terms after, plugged on final 3f
took keen hold, pressed leader, narrow lead over 11f out, ridden and headed 4f out, soon not much room and weakened, tailed off
took keen hold, soon settled in 5th, headway to chase leaders halfway, went 2nd and pressed winner briefly 3f out, 3rd and one pace final 2f
pulled hard, mostly in rear, struggling over 4f out, tailed off
HOLD COURT ran out a comfortable winner over 1m6f at Fontwell in November. He'll have no problem staying the extra here and, with Adam Wedge taking off 5lb, may well find enough to hold off likely favourite Looking Hopeful who didn't look too keen when beaten at Towcester on Boxing Day, though may have just needed that. Thom Thumb tackled decent opposition on his debut at Ascot and should strip fitter here. He has each-way claims but former pointer Chief Heckler may be best watched following a modest first effort under Rules at Bangor.
Hold Court (IRE) 1-2fav (11-2) Raced wide, held up in touch, smooth headway from 4f out, went 2nd going well over 2f out, led over 1f out, pushed along and ran on well, won at Fontwell 1m 6f NH flat (6) gs in Nov beating Bhakti (10-9) by 2 1/4l, 8 ran.
Chief Heckler (IRE) 9-2 (10-9) Held up behind and keen, effort on outer before 3f out, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 10, 35l behind Howaboutnow (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f NH flat (6) hvy in Dec.
Dragon Master 80-1 (11-9) Disputed lead, lost place over 6f out, soon behind, tailed off 3f out, last of 16, well behind Jigsaw Puzzle (11-9) at Bangor 2m 1f nhf (6) gs in Nov.
Here Comes Moss Karinga Bay gelding out of Madam Mosso.
Looking Hopeful (IRE) 6-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, smooth headway 4f out, led over 2f out, kept on and headed close home, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Western High (10-7) at Towcester 2m NH flat (6) gs in Dec.
Lucky Prince 66-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, pushed along halfway, soon lost place, tailed off, 11th of 14, well behind Private Eyes (11-0) at Hereford 2m 1f NH flat (6) gs in Nov.
Oscar Rainbow Oscar gelding out of Fionnula's Rainbow.
Thom Thumb (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened rapidly over 4f out, 10th of 14, 30l behind Population (11-2) at Ascot 2m NH flat (6) gd in Nov.
Forgotten Promise 28-1 (11-3) Led, raced wide paddock bend, raced keenly after, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened inside final furlong, 5th of 7, 8l behind Liqueur Rose (11-3) at Bangor 2m 1f mares n h flat (6) gs.
