took keen hold, soon tracking leaders, close up before 3 out, one pace 2 out, weakened flat
tracked leader, led briefly 4th, led 4 out, headed 3 out, mistake 2 out, stayed on same pace
held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, mistake last, never going pace to challenge
held up, headway before 4th, ridden after 4 out, stayed on one pace from next
held up, headway on outside after 4 out, challenged going well 2 out, led when not fluent last, ridden clear
chased leaders, lost place after 4th, behind 4 out
made most until 4 out, led 3 out, headed before last, no impression on winner flat
prominent, lost place 3 out, weakened 2 out
held up, well beaten before 3 out
NonRunner
Ascendant has completed a hat-trick of minor-race victories and is still on the same mark though this looks slightly tougher. It's almost two years since Cloonacool won a novices' handicap here and he hasn't scored since though he's now on a lower mark. Litterale Ci, twice a winner on the Flat in France, has been a beaten favourite the last twice and needs to step-up a gear while Inn The Bull, a dual winner in the summer, blundered away his chances at Warwick last time. NEFYN BAY is very moderate but has managed to win five times. His stable is in cracking form and he looks to have a reasonable chance of gaining victory number six.
Cloonacool (IRE) 2-1jfav (11-11) In rear and in touch, headway after 3 out, went 2nd before 2 out, kept on and no impression, 2nd of 4, 8l behind Barman (11-8) at Taunton 2m hcp (3) gf in Nov.
Ascendant 10-11fav (10-10) Held up on outside, closed 4th, challenged 2 out, led 2 out, ran on well flat, won at Huntingdon 2m (5) gd in Nov beating Serenity Now (11-6) by 2 1/4l, 7 ran.
Dovils Date 22-1 (10-6) In touch towards rear, ridden before 2 out, never a factor, last of 8, dist behind Arthur's Gift (10-5) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Inn The Bull (GER) 10-3 (11-11) Tracked leaders, mistake 4th, lost place and mistake next, mistake 6th, soon behind, pulled up before 2 out, at Warwick 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Litterale Ci (FR) 7-4fav (11-0) Held up in touch, went 3rd before 2 out, no extra from last, lost 2nd place close home, 4th of 8, 6 1/4l behind Miss Night Owl (11-7) at Stratford 2m hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Tindaro (FR) 50-1 (10-7) Slow into stride in rear, never on terms, 8th of 10, 20 1/4l behind Bybrook (10-3) at Newbury 1m 4f hcp (5) sft in Oct.
Prussian Eagle (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Tracked leader, every chance before 2 out, 4th and weakening last, 5th of 9, 19l behind High Expectations (11-3) at Leicester 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Stuccodor (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden before 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 17l behind Royal Beekeeper (10-12) at Ludlow 2m (4) gs in Dec.
Lincoln County (10-10) at Compiegne 2m 2f sft in Mar.
Nefyn Bay 9-2 (10-11) Held up in 6th, outpaced after 3 out, never on terms, 5th of 7, 5 1/2l behind Star Foot (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
