chased leaders, ridden to challenge 2 out, kept on after last, no chance with winner
always behind, pushed along 6th, soon beaten
in touch, headway 4 out, led after next, headed before 2 out, soon rallied, mistake last, weakened flat
led until 4th, led again next, mistake 4 out, ridden and headed after next, soon weakened, pulled up before 2nd last
towards rear, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, never on terms
chased leaders, lost place approaching 6th
mid-division, blundered 2nd, lost place 5th, soon ridden and weakened
behind, headway before 6th, chased leaders next, led before 2 out, ran on well
held up in rear, headway 4 out, blundered next, soon no impression, weakening when fell last
held up, never dangerous
tracked leaders, weakened 4 out
mid-divsision, headway to chase leaders 3 out, hard ridden approaching last, stayed on close home
Nonrunner
A competitive finale in which several look to have decent claims. Vaillant Creek and Touch Back have almost identical form figures this season and go on the short-list. The unexposed Itsnowcato was going along nicely in front when carried out by a loose horse at Taunton. Spice Fair arrives off the back of a second at Sandown but remains winless over timber and Scoppio Del Carro only won a claimer at Ludlow, though that should have given his confidence a lift. Akula and Charlie Cook catch the eye near the foot of the weights but Stand To Reason is likely to take up an alternative engagement at Wetherby. RUSHVALE is improving with experience and won’t be far away if reproducing his latest third at Wincanton, despite a 4lb higher mark.
Domtaline (FR) 17-2 (11-10) Tracked leader, disputed lead when hit 7th, lost place after 10th, weakened 4 out, tailed off, last of 8, dist behind Top Cat Henry (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Quebec 12-1 (11-5) Chased clear winner until ridden soon after 4 out, weakened before next, last of 5, 34 1/4l behind Aristo Du Plessis (11-12) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Touch Back (IRE) 7-1 (11-11) Mid-division, not fluent 5th, headway after 7th, challenged 3 out, led before next, soon ridden, headed approaching last, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 8, 10l behind Baywing (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Rushvale (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Soon led, mistake 4th, mistake 2 out, joined and mistake last, headed and one pace run-in, kept on, edged left and lost 2nd post, 3rd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Kap Jazz (11-6) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Itsnowcato 11-2 (11-4) Led, carried out by loose horse 4th, at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Kuda Huraa (IRE) 10-1 (11-8) Behind, headway from 3 out, ridden before last, kept on to take 3rd place run-in, 3rd of 11, 22l behind Holly Bush Henry (11-12) at Doncaster 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Ben Cee Pee M (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders in 3rd, pushed along after 3 out, ridden soon after, weakened from 2 out, 5th of 6, 29l behind Almost Gemini (10-0) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Argot 16-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders in 4th, mistake 3rd, went 3rd 3 out, lost place next, soon ridden, weakened flat, last of 8, 17l behind Mr Fickle (11-7) at Sandown 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Spice Fair 5-1 (11-4) Held up mid-division, headway 2 out, ridden and one pace before last, stayed on to take 2nd flat, no impression with winner, 2nd of 8, 2 1/4l behind Mr Fickle (11-7) at Sandown 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Stand To Reason (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, headway 5th, lost 3rd place last strides, 4th of 12, 6l behind Presenting Arms (11-11) at Kempton 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Scoppio Del Carro 7-4fav (10-8) Held up in mid-division, hit 5th, headway next, went 2nd 3 out, led before last, edged right and clear flat, comfortably, won at Ludlow 2m (4) sft in Dec beating Guaracha (11-0) by 4l, 15 ran.
Akula (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Led until after 6th, led again when mistake 3 out, headed after 2 out, no chance with winner, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 8, 8l behind For Good Measure (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Charlie Cook (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace, 5th of 11, 11 1/2l behind Island Heights (11-8) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Vaillant Creek (FR) 8-1 (11-8) Led until 2nd, chased leader, led again before 2 out, headed last, stayed on same pace final 100 yards, 2nd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Calin Du Brizais (10-13) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
