close up, led 6th, kept on well
held up in rear, chased leaders approaching 4th, jumped slow and weakened from 6th, tailed off 2 out
chased leaders, chased winner approaching 2 out, kept on, no impression
held up, chased leaders 5th, went 2nd from 7th, weakened approaching 2 out
chased leaders, outpaced approaching 6th, stayed on from 2 out
led to 6th, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, soon tailed off
Spare Me has solid claims in this contest and can take the honours. There are concerns about Pagan Rules' ability to handle the ground and Tisfreetdream could be the one to hustle up the selection. Spare Me is still awaiting his first success but has been running consistently since entering the handicap ranks and should find this company and this test to his liking. Silver Mont will find life easier now handicapping but still has a fair bit to prove; Pagan Rules has less to prove but is by no means certain to see out this trip on ground this demanding. Tisfreetdream is more exposed and is a maiden after fourteen starts but he's not without ability, will handle the ground and stay the course. He should make the frame but may have to play second best to Spare Me.
Spare Me 9-2fav (10-9) In touch, headway 7th, ridden after 4 out, one pace from next, 3rd of 11, 15l behind Malko De Beaumont (10-5) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Dec.
Silver Mont (IRE) 66-1 (10-7) Prominent, under pressure before 3 out, weakened next, 10th of 16, well behind One Gulp (11-1) at Leicester 2m 4f nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Tisfreetdream (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) In touch, ridden after 3 out, one pace, 3rd of 16, 8l behind Pettifour (11-6) at Hereford 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Pagan Rules (IRE) 11-4fav (10-10) In touch, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace, no impression, 3rd of 12, 18l behind Onefourfun (11-6) at Wetherby 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Finlay's Footsteps 11-2 (10-1) Held up towards rear, ridden approaching 7th, beaten next, tailed off, 5th of 13, well behind Toy Gun (10-5) at Ayr 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Jan.
Finnegans Rainbow 200-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, lost place approaching 5th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Razor Royale (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hdl (2) sft in Nov, 10 ran.