mid-division, not fluent 4th, ridden and well beaten after 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up towards rear, headway on outside 6th, 2nd 3 out, led going well 2 out, clear flat, readily
mid-division, headway 4th, weakened before 2 out
tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd, 3rd and ridden when hit 2 out, no extra flat, lost 4th close home
took keen hold, held up towards rear, headway on outside after 5th, weakened before mistake 2 out
led 1st, not fluent 7th, ridden and headed 2 out, no impression on winner
held up towards rear, driven in 6th after 2 out, no impression, plugged on flat, took 4th close home
prominent, ridden and weakened after 3 out
held up in rear, ridden after 3 out, never threatened
led until 1st, prominent, slow and lost place 5th, struggling next, last and well behind after 3 out, ran on flat, went 3rd towards finish
MORIANOUR (NAP) travelled strongly for a long way when second at Fontwell nine days ago. The excellent Mitch Bastyan takes off 3lb here and Evan Williams’ lightly-raced seven-year-old can pick up the winning thread again. Bowie loves it here and went close to a fourth course win on Boxing Day. Cabernet D'alene won three times last year but has gone up a further 5lb since the last of those. Barrys Jack might enjoy the switch back to hurdles but looks high enough in the weights now and Fresh New Dawn will need to improve on what he’s shown so far. Royal Beekeeper and Towering also have a bit to find at the weights.
Barrys Jack (IRE) 11-4 (11-1) Settled in rear, effort after 3 out, staying on into 2nd when fell last, at Newcastle 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Cabernet D'Alene (FR) 9-4fav (11-7) Held up mid-division, headway before 2 out, led before last and pressed, held on towards finish, won at Taunton 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov beating Ambre Des Marais (11-5) by nk, 10 ran.
Deep Resolve (IRE) 6-1 (9-4) Held up, headway over 4f out, ridden over 2f out, stayed on final furlpong, 3rd of 8, 5l behind Serenity Now (9-3) at Southwell 2m hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Morianour (FR) 20-1 (11-1) Behind, headway from 3 out, chased winner from net, kept on and no impression, 2nd of 8, 3 1/4l behind De Rasher Counter (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
Royal Beekeeper 11-2 (11-11) Close up, chased winner 3 out (usual 4 out), soon ridden, kept on one pace, 3rd of 11, 17 1/4l behind Asum (11-12) at Wetherby 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Cape Hideaway 20-1 (10-12) In touch, ridden and lost place 7th, 7th of 10, 27 3/4l behind Only Orsenfoolsies (11-3) at Wetherby 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Fresh New Dawn (IRE) 13-8fav (11-5) Tracked winner, ridden and outpaced 2 out, 2nd of 7, 26l behind The Linksman (11-5) at Fakenham 2m mdn (4) hvy in Jan.
Bowie (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, headway on outside after 3 out, led next, hard pressed when not fluent last, ridden and kept on when headed narrowly flat, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 11, 2 1/2l behind Generous Day (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Towering (IRE) 9-2 (12-2) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 7, 17 1/2l behind Gin And Tonic (10-2) at Fakenham 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Perseid (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, pushed along before 4 out, soon lost place and dropped to rear, 7th of 9, 28 1/2l behind Gran Maestro (11-12) at Wetherby 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan.
