led, headed 2nd, remained handy, led again home turn, pushed along after 2 out, ridden and headed run-in, no extra
in rear, not fluent at times, lost touch after 3 out, tailed off
towards rear early, raced keenly and pulled to lead 2nd, not fluent 3rd, pushed along and headed home turn, dropped away tamely before 2 out, tailed off
mid-division, pushed along and headway into 3rd home turn, soon weakened
towards rear, headway to chase front pair before 2 out, soon ridden and no impression
chased leaders, ridden 2 out, faded after last, never on terms
prominent, raced in 3rd from 2nd flight, chased leader before 2 out, soon pushed along, ran on well to lead run-in, readily
Natty Night raced keenly when third at Hereford but the second has won since. However, GERARD MENTOR is thriving and all three recent victories have come under Kai Lenihan. The six-year-old carries a penalty today but is still hard to oppose. Will Sting is on a fair mark nowadays but Royle Steel may need this and Iceman Dennis has been hard to place. Ilanz has a bit of scope but needs to improve on his two runs to date over timber.
Will Sting (IRE) 9-1 (12-0) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, lost place before 2 out, 8th of 12, 20 1/2l behind Iontach Cheval (11-9) at Warwick 2m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Ithaka (IRE) 50-1 (11-13) Led, took keen hold, jumped left at 5th, hampered by loose horse approaching 4 out, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened quickly, 18th of 21, dist behind Gaius (12-0) at Punchestown 2m 5f hcp gd in Oct.
Gerard Mentor (FR) 7-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, headway final bend, led 3 out, clear last, easily, won at Ludlow 2m hcp (4) sft in Nov beating Sea The Clouds (12-1) by 18l, 7 ran.
Royle Steel (FR) 9-2 (11-0) Held up, ridden and outpaced well over 2 out, soon held, last of 5, 21 3/4l behind Fire Away (11-10) at Southwell 2m 4f (4) gd in Apr.
Natty Night 3-1jfav (12-2) Midfield, headway approaching 2 out, plugged on one pace from last, went third final 50yds, 3rd of 13, 13l behind Maxcel (11-11) at Hereford 2m hcp (5) gs in Nov.
Iceman Dennis (FR) 80-1 (10-13) Held up in mid-division, headway after 2 out, went 2nd before last, no chance with winner, lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 13, 16 1/4l behind Gitche Gumee (10-13) at Stratford 2m (3) gd in Oct.
Ilanz (FR) 7-1 (11-0) Chased leading pair, ridden and kept on from 2 out, no match for first two, 3rd of 4, 8 1/4l behind Hugos New Horse (11-0) at Wincanton 1m 7f (3) gf in Nov.
