in touch, ridden and outpaced after 4 out, soon lost place weakened next, tailed off
led, driven and headed before 3 out, soon outpaced, weakened after next
held up towards rear, headway on outside after 4 out, chased leaders next, soon ridden and no impression, weakened last
held up in touch, ridden to chase leaders after 3 out, one pace next, rallied to take 2nd near finish, not reach winner
held up in touch, driven to chase leaders after 3 out, soon one pace, ridden and kept on flat, no impression
held up behind, headway after 4 out, ridden and stayed on after last, never reached leaders
tracked leaders, driven to lead narrowly before 3 out, went right and headed next, stayed on under pressure flat, held when lost 2nd near finish
always prominent, effort to challenge on inside before 3 out, driven and one pace when switched left after next, no impression flat
held up behind, some headway after 4 out, never reached leaders, weakened next
always prominent on outside, effort to challenge when awkward on landing 3 out, led next, soon ridden, stayed on well towards finish
NonRunner
Dark Invader is now 8lb lower than when successful at Wincanton in October but ran poorly when favourite at Southwell last month – a visor replaces the cheekpieces today. Jackthejourneyman is having a first run since November but has gone well fresh in the past. Marju's Quest has an even longer absence to overcome but is one of two course winners in the line-up. The other is AGENTLEMAN, who is back on a winning mark today. He holds Dark Invader and Jacobite Rising on Southwell running, though Kane Yeoman will probably need to play his hand late.
Dark Invader (FR) 10-3fav (11-12) Pecked 1st, in rear, blundered 9th, soon struggling, lost touch after 4 out, 7th of 8, 36 1/4l behind Mariners Moon (10-11) at Southwell 2m hcp (5) gd in Jul.
Marju's Quest (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Led, clear before 2 out, headed flat, 3rd and no extra towards finish, 3rd of 14, 4l behind Double Court (10-6) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Agentleman (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, soon outpaced, weakened next, 4th of 8, 22 1/4l behind Mariners Moon (10-11) at Southwell 2m hcp (5) gd in Jul.
Thomas Blossom (IRE) 100-1 (11-12) Held up in mid-division, struggling 8th, well behind 4 out, last of 9, dist behind Double Court (11-8) at Worcester 2m hcp (5) gs in Jul.
Jackthejourneyman (IRE) 13-2 (10-0) Chased leader, led 7th (water), clear before 2 out, still 5 lengths ahead last, idled badly run-in, headed and dropped to 3rd final 100 yards, 3rd of 5, 3 3/4l behind Darebin (12-0) at Huntingdon 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Jacobite Rising (FR) 9-2 (11-2) Jumped right throughout, with leader on outside, driven and lost place before 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 33 1/2l behind Mariners Moon (10-11) at Southwell 2m hcp (5) gd in Jul.
Hurricane Vic 5-1 (10-5) Held up in mid-division, not fluent 4th, struggling 4 out, last of 8, dist behind Game Line (10-11) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Wisecracker 9-2 (10-4) Chased leader until 7th, one pace 2 out, weakened last, 6th of 9, 14l behind Double Court (11-8) at Worcester 2m hcp (5) gs in Jul.
Right Royals Day 33-1 (10-0) In rear, not fluent 6th, headway when pecked 3 out, 3rd and weakening when not fluent last, 3rd of 8, 21 3/4l behind Game Line (10-11) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Gentleman James 7-1 (10-0) Led until slow 1st, chased leader, slow 2nd, ridden after last, lost 2nd after home turn, no extra, 4th of 6, 6 1/4l behind Jeu De Mots (11-10) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp (5) sft in Jul.
Buyer Beware (IRE) 12-1 (9-7) In touch on inside, pushed along and weakened 4f out soon behind, tailed off, 7th of 8, 26 1/2l behind Land Of Oz (8-7) at Ayr 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Jul.
