always behind
mid-division, headway 4th, went 2nd 4 out, no impression on winner 3 out, kept on
chased winner until after 5th, outpaced next, closed after 4 out, no impression from 3 out
mid-division, not fluent 1st, lost place after 5th, ridden and behind from next, pulled up before 3 out
made all, clear 3rd until after 5th, clear again 3 out, pecked 2 out, not fluent last, stayed on well
not always fluent, held up in rear, mistake 1st, well beaten from 4 out, pulled up before last
chased leaders, went 2nd after 5th, hit 8th, lost 2nd 4 out, held from 3 out
held up towards rear, headway after 5th, mistake 7th, 3rd before 3 out, no impression on winner, kept on
ROOSTER COGBURN is always a risky choice despite his useful form as he usually sets a fast pace and it's a question of him hanging on in the closing stages. He's won over course and distance though and is well suited to good ground around a sharp track. He's not one for the mortgage however. Valseur Du Granval just defied a 7lb rise in a driving finish last time but is now up another 5lb and that may prove too much, but is still one to consider in his current form. Larch Hill can usually be relied upon to run his race and a market check is essential for Makka Pakka on only a second run for Dr Newland since joining the yard in September from Mags Mullins.
Ballyneety 25-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders before 4 out, pushed along 2 out, made no impression from last, 5th of 10, 14 1/2l behind Jack Valentine (11-4) at Leicester 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Makka Pakka (IRE) 17-2 (11-0) Chased leader, ridden to lead briefly 2 out, headed and weakened prior to the last, 6th of 11, 34 1/2l behind Cormier (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn (4) gs in Oct.
Larch Hill (IRE) 10-3 (11-7) Tracked leader, blundered badly 4th, going well in second approaching 4 out, mistake, soon disputing third 3 out, weakened into fourth 2 out, kept on well after last, 4th of 7, 14 1/4l behind Elios D'Or (10-5) at Worcester 2m hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Lucky Robin (IRE) 9-1 (8-13) Tracked winner, pushed along halfway, ridden over 4f out, soon outpaced, eased 2f out, tailed off, 6th of 8, dist behind Bill Cody (9-10) at Southwell 2m hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Rooster Cogburn (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Led at decent pace, hit 8th, mistake 2 out, ridden and headed soon after last, lost second and no extra final 2f, 4th of 8, 18 1/4l behind Tonto's Spirit (11-10) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Valseur Du Granval (FR) 7-1 (11-6) Mid-divisiom, went 2nd 3 out, pushed after 2 out, ridden and hit front after last, all out, won at Huntingdon 2m hcp (5) gd in May beating Shortcross Storm (11-9) by hd, 8 ran.
Beautiful Ben (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Prominent, ridden 2 out, weakened after last, 7th of 9, dist behind Sword Of Fate (11-3) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Little Stevie 12-1 (11-7) Mid-division, not fluent 6th, ridden 3 out, soon held, 6th of 7, 25 3/4l behind Tabou Beach Boy (10-7) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Jul.