led, headed 6th, weakened 3 out
held up when hampered and unseated rider at 5th
held up, pushed along approaching 4th, struggling at next, behind when pulled up 2 out
close up when over jumped sprawled on landing and fell 5th
pressed leader, led 6th, joined 3 out, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on same pace
close up, ridden to chase winner 2 out, no impression, kept on same pace
in touch in rear, ridden and weakened 3 out
MALINELLO showed a big improvement on his hurdling debut when just failing to catch the winner at Kempton. He can go one better with normal progress and is preferred to Moon King, who finished a decent fourth at Kelso on his debut over timber. Point-to-point winner Only The Bold debuted under Rules with a second at Chepstow and can also go well while Amanofhisword is preferred to stablemate Grooveur with Richard Johnson doing the steering.
Amanofhisword (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Raced keenly, held up in 6th, closer at 8th, weakened 4 out, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, at Southwell 3m mdn (4) sft in Nov.
Beauvallon Bay (IRE) Kalanisi gelding out of Stability Treaty.
Close Friend (IRE) 100-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, pushed along after 5th, soon weakened, 9th of 10, dist behind Glory And Honour (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m mdn (4) gd in Nov.
Grooveur (FR) Ballingarry gelding out of Kelle Home.
Malinello 15-2 (10-12) Not fluent, prominent, led 5th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, switched right approaching last, stayed on one pace, 2nd of 5, 3/4l behind Switch Hitter (10-12) at Kempton 2m 5f (4) gd in Nov.
Moon King (FR) 5-2 (10-12) Midfield, shuffled back towards rear 3rd, headway 7th, hit 3 out and ridden, switched wide and awkward 2 out, kept on run in, 4th of 10, 5 3/4l behind Franks Fancy (10-12) at Kelso 2m 5f (4) gs in Oct.
Only The Bold (IRE) 2-1fav (11-0) Chased leaders, not fluent 5th or 6th, went 2nd before last, no impression on winner, 2nd of 12, 7l behind Grand Mogul (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (4) sft in Oct.
Sweetest Smile (IRE) 200-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, outpaced after 4 out, stayed on from 2 out, never able to challenge, 5th of 14, 35l behind Coconut Splash (11-5) at Wetherby 2m mdn (4) sft in Jan.
