held up mid-division, good headway to lead before 2 out, soon clear
held up mid-division, outpaced from 3 out
led, headed after 5th, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened
in rear, pushed along before 5 out, soon weakened, tailed off
held up mid-division, headway before 2 out, ran on strongly from last
tracked leaders, pushed along after 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway before 2 out, ridden and no extra run-in
tracked leaders and jumped left, led before 2 out, soon headed, kept on and no chance with winner
held up mid-division, headway after 3 out, weakened after last
held up in rear, pushed along 5 out, reminders before 4 out, tailed off
with leaders, led after 5th, ridden before 2 out, soon headed and weakened
always towards rear
Minella Fiveo has mostly struggled since winning last year’s renewal off an 8lb higher mark while Strong Glance failed to land the odds dropped into maiden company at Fakenham last time and Freedelivery’s recent success came in a maiden hurdle at Ffos Las. There was little between El Kaldoun and Floating Rock when they filled the places at Doncaster last month but the former is partnered by a 10lb conditional today and should confirm superiority. Demon D'Aunou looks no nearer winning and SLEEPY HAVEN was still well beaten when third over 3m in the heavy ground at Uttoxeter but had been threatening over shorter trips before that and gets another chance today.
Strong Glance 4-5fav (11-0) Raced wide towards rear, headway 3 out, edged left and approaching last, ridden and stayed on, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Young Offender (11-0) at Fakenham 2m 4f mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Demon D'Aunou (FR) 7-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, weakened final 100 yards, 5th of 10, 13 1/2l behind Present From Dubai (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Floating Rock (GER) 13-2 (11-13) Tracked leaders, effort between horses in 3rd and every chance 3 out, hung left and one pace next, kept on run-in pressing for 2nd, no chance with winner, 3rd of 11, 6 1/2l behind Methag (11-0) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Uno Mas 25-1 (11-8) Always towards rear, never a factor, tailed off, 12th of 15, dist behind Urtheonethatiwant (10-7) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Sleepy Haven (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, struggling when ridden and went 3rd last, no chance with leading pair, 3rd of 4, 29l behind Dr Des (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
El Kaldoun (FR) 11-4fav (11-9) Slight lead until 5th, with winner, led again narrowly 4 out until next, chased winner, chance 2 out, ridden before last, no extra run-in, 2nd of 11, 6l behind Methag (11-0) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Farmer Boy (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) With leader, led 2nd, headed 4th, effort 3 out, weakened before next, 6th of 10, 30 1/4l behind Hometown Boy (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Just So Cool (IRE) 33-1 (11-6) In touch when brought down 3 out, at Exeter 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Ratoute Yutty 10-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, led before 6th, headed before 3 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 9, 10 1/4l behind Runasimi River (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Freedelivery (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, headway to challenge before 2 out, driven and one pace between last 2, stayed on to lead after last, ridden clear flat, stayed on well, won at Ffos Las 2m mdn (4) hvy in Dec beating Flying Garry (10-12) by 3l, 10 ran.
Minella Fiveo (IRE) 4-1 (10-11) In touch, no impression approaching 2 out, modest 4th, 4th of 7, 31 3/4l behind Baracalu (11-3) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp (5) gs in Dec.
Collodi (GER) 16-1 (11-10) Held up in mid-division, well beaten before 3 out, 12th of 13, dist behind Man Of The North (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (5) hvy in Dec.
