chased leader, led after 4 out, clear when jumped right and not fluent 2 out, went right and not fluent last, easily
held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, went 3rd before 2 out until last, no impression, weakened flat
led, not fluent 4th, headed after 4th, weakened from before 3 out
mid-division, blundered 2nd, not fluent 6th, soon lost place, well beaten before 3 out, mistake 2 out
held up in 4th, went 2nd before 3 out, no impression on winner 2 out, kept on
tracked leaders, not always fluent, mistake 8th, ridden before 3 out, stayed on same pace, went 3rd last
held up in rear, mistake 7th, pushed along and modest progress after 4 out, weakened before 3 out
held up towards rear, not fluent 3 out, 5th 2 out, kept on flat, went never dangerous 4th towards finish
held up in rear, not fluent 7th, pecked 4 out, no impression
NonRunner
Paul Nicholls has an impressive strike rate here and sends ACCOMPLICE, who finished clear of the rest when runner-up at Wincanton last time. This extra distance should suit and he’s preferred to Sebastopol. The latter won here at the end of last season and will be sharper for a recent comeback but Newtown Boy is upped in class and raised 6lb on the back of a course and distance success. Elf De Re has yet to find his form but has claims on last season’s best efforts but Kaizer has been beaten off today’s mark since scoring at Carlisle in October. Native Fighter will appreciate this return to 2m4f but Clearance has plenty to find with Newtown Boy.
Navajo Pass 17-2 (11-11) Chased leaders on inside, blundered 7th, disputing 2nd before 3 out, ridden and weakened after next, 7th of 11, 18 3/4l behind Kateson (11-1) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Sebastopol (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, pushed along and went 2nd 2 out, ridden between last 2, held when mistake last, lost 2nd and weakened badly run-in, 6th of 9, 10 1/2l behind Floressa (11-5) at Newbury 2m hcp lst (1) gd in Nov.
I'm To Blame (IRE) 11-8fav (11-4) In touch in rear, headway over 2f out, soon ridden to challenge, every chance over 1f out, readily outpaced by front pair inside final furlong, 3rd of 7, 7l behind On The Blind Side (11-4) at Newcastle 2m (4) Slow in Feb.
Elf De Re (FR) 9-4fav (11-2) Led, headed 1st, led after 7th, hit 11th and 12th, ridden and headed before 3 out, hit 2 out, blundered last, weakened flat, last of 5, 26 1/4l behind Remastered (11-2) at Carlisle 2m 4f (3) hvy in Nov.
Newtown Boy (IRE) 7-1 (12-2) Prominent, pressed leader 3 out, led 2 out, 2 lengths up at last, kept on well run-in, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec beating The Blame Game (11-2) by 4 1/2l, 11 ran.
Kaizer 22-1 (9-1) Held up, pushed along 3f out, ridden over 1f out but no impression, 7th of 9, 5 3/4l behind Manjaam (9-9) at Newcastle 2m hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Accomplice (FR) 4-1 (11-4) Held up in last pair, closer on outside 4 out, hit next, disputing 2nd before 2 out, outright 2nd 2 out, ridden before last, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 6, 2l behind River Bray (11-12) at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Skiddaw Valleys 33-1 (11-4) Prominent, ridden and lost ground rapidly after 5th, well adrift when hampered by faller 3 out, stayed on from 2 out, 4th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Mick Maestro (11-1) at Doncaster 2m 1f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Clearance 7-1 (11-10) Held up, headway to track leaders 3 out, disputed second at last, kept on run-in but lacked pace to trouble winner, 3rd of 11, 6 3/4l behind Newtown Boy (12-2) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Native Fighter (IRE) 9-1 (10-9) Towards rear, not fluent 1st, headway before 3 out, close up when left in second 3 out, ridden before 2 out, weakened before last, 3rd of 7, 13 1/4l behind Wild Max (11-11) at Doncaster 2m 1f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
