mid-division, closer tracking leaders 8th, 2nd before 3 out where left in clear lead, kept on well
well in rear, hit 5th, tailed off 8th, went badly right next, pulled up soon after
held up towards rear, closer in mid-division at 5th, plugged on
towards rear, mistake 8th, plugging on when mistake 3 out,
tracked leading pair, left 3 lengths 2nd 3 out, plugged on
mid-division, jumped slowly and lost place 7th, behind and struggling after, plugging on and left modest 3rd 3 out
tracked leader until before 3 out, chased leaders, hung right and weakened before next
led, going strongly when landed awkwardly lost hind legs and unseated rider after 3 out
held up in last pair, plugged on and left modest 4th 3 out, no impression
refused to race and took no part
raced wide chasing leaders, lost place 4th, rallied chasing leaders 6th, weakened 4 out, tailed off
LITTLE STEVIE’s sole victory to date over fences came over course and distance last year. He’s only 3lb higher and he’s run well enough at Uttoxeter recently to suggest he can go close in this. Buyer Beware, who has had a run on the Flat, would have claims on the pick of his form while Wisecracker is almost guaranteed to run his race. Thomas Blossom and Getaway North could go well at bigger odds.
Little Stevie 9-4fav (11-4) Raced keenly, led before 2nd, jumped right next, headed 4th, stayed close up, no impression on winner from 2 out, kept on, 2nd of 9, 4 1/4l behind Tikkinthebox (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Inca Gold (IRE) 15-2 (11-6) Towards rear on outside, jumped right at times, last from 8th, tailed off 4 out, last of 9, dist behind Tikkinthebox (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Buyer Beware (IRE) 22-1 (9-9) Held up towards rear, last halfway, ridden and switched wide over 3f out, no impression, 9th of 13, 11 1/4l behind Final Choice (9-7) at Newcastle 2m hcp (6) pol in Jul.
My Renaissance 8-1 (11-7) Held up in mid-division, mistake3rd, struggling when mistake 3 out, 7th of 10, 26 1/2l behind Peterborough (11-8) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp (5) gs in Jul.
Wisecracker 5-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 2 out, challenged last, held towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Peterborough (11-8) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp (5) gs in Jul.
Getaway North 11-2 (11-5) Pressed winner, not fluent 6th, hit 3 out, mistake and weakened next, 8th of 10, 32l behind Peterborough (11-8) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp (5) gs in Jul.
Mac Cennetig (IRE) 6-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, lost place after 6th, pushed along before next, tailed off when blundered 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, at Southwell 2m hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Secret Melody 80-1 (10-0) Led, 3 1/2 lengths clear when dived at last, pitched on landing and lost momentum, soon headed and held, most likely unlucky, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Tim Rocco (10-13) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f hcp (5) gd in Jul.
Thomas Blossom (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, hampered 3rd, ridden and well beaten from 3 out, last of 10, dist behind Peterborough (11-8) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp (5) gs in Jul.
Agentleman (IRE) 16-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, mistake 6th, headway 8th, 3rd after 2 out, stayed on same pace last, 3rd of 10, 5l behind Peterborough (11-8) at Stratford 2m 1f hcp (5) gs in Jul.
Bally Lagan (IRE) 250-1 (11-4) Chased leader, challenged 6f out, pushed along over 4f out, lost place over 3f out, soon behind, last of 6, 33 1/4l behind Hatcher (11-4) at Wolverhampton 2m 1f (4) pol in Feb.
