prominent until 7th, behind 11th, tailed off and pulled up before next
in touch, went 2nd after 11th, led 14th, headed approaching 4 out, no impression from 2 out
held up, hampered 2nd, headway 6th, beaten before 2 out
led, mistake 8th, headed 9th, weakened 13th, tailed off
held up in rear, mistake 8th, headway approaching 12th, weakened 15th
always prominent, led 9th, headed 14th, led approaching 4 out, clear last, comfortably
held up, headway approaching 15th, weakened 3 out, mistakes last 2
in touch, mistake 3rd, blundered and unseated rider next
prominent, lost place approaching 12th, in rear after
mid-division, headway approaching 12th, weakened approaching 4 out
held up in rear, mistake 3rd, not fluent 12th, mistake 13th, stayed on from 2 out, went 3rd flat, nearest finish
Nigel Twiston-Davies has emerged from a lean spell and now that his runners are going much better we'll take MAJOR MALARKEY to win what is a decent prize for the track. The selection has won here before over 2m 5f when hurdling and has also won over the distance in that discipline. Sure to have been well schooled for this, his chasing debut, and with his handler having a good record with those he sends on this route, we will side with him. Pretty Star represents another in-form stable and has a course and distance win to his name. He would need some cut in the ground to be at his best, and with that in mind, plus his current mark, we will take him on. Cresswell Willow loves it here and acts on the ground, but he looks in the grip of the assessor now. Kilcrea Asla has the sound surface he enjoys and could go well from today's mark, while Down's Folly is weighted to get closer to Cresswell Willow this time, but both may find Major Malarkey too tough to deal with.
Iron Man (FR) 14-1 (10-13) In touch, lost place 6th, tailed off 11th, 10th of 17, well behind Miss Mitch (10-5) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gs in Jan.
Pretty Star (GER) 4-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, led 3rd, ridden when mistake 3 out, headed 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 7, 3 1/2l behind Victory Gunner (9-13) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) hvy.
Chiaro (FR) 12-1 (11-5) Chased leading pair, went 2nd 6th, ridden to challenge 2 out, no extra before last, 3rd of 9, 7l behind Strawberry (11-6) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs.
Harris Bay 33-1 (10-6) Prominent, led 2nd, headed 7th, weakened 11th, 9th of 17, well behind Miss Mitch (10-5) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp chs (2) gs in Jan.
Cresswell Willow (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Led to 4 out, weakened next, 5th of 6, 23l behind Tarablaze (11-9) at Haydock 3m 1f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) sft.
Kilcrea Asla (IRE) 13-2 (11-3) Tracked leaders, not fluent 1st and 9th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 10, 36l behind Ping Pong Sivola (10-1) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hcp chs (2) hvy in Jan.
Down's Folly (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) In touch, close up 4 out, chased winner from 3 out, one pace, 2nd of 10, 4l behind Cresswell Willow (11-0) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
Major Malarkey (IRE) 6-4fav (11-3) Mid-division, headway to go prominent 7th, ridden and weakened from 3 out, 11th of 13, well behind Twelve Paces (9-8) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Master John (IRE) 11-2 (10-13) Raced wide, chased leaders, lost place 5th, behind next, no danger after, 8th of 11, 8l behind Coach Lane (11-8) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gf in May.
Hermano Cordobes (IRE) 15-2 (10-7) Chased leaders in 4th, under pressure 12th, weakened from next, 6th of 9, 19l behind Strawberry (11-6) at Kempton 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs.
Super Judge (IRE) 40-1 (10-3) Towards rear, headway 11th, mistakes 12th and 13th, ridden and weakened 4 out, 5th of 10, 13l behind Cresswell Willow (11-0) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
