held up towards rear in 5th, ridden before 2 out, never dangerous
held up in touch, chased winner before 3 out, ridden and weakened next
tracked leading pair and pulled hard, ridden and weakened before 2 out
in rear, headway on outer approaching 5th, weakened from 3 out
held up towards rear and keen, headway on inner before 3 out, went 3rd before last, one pace
made all, kicked clear before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on well
tracked winner, ridden before last, kept on same pace, always well held
King Fingal beat Kaolak in a maiden hurdle over C&D two runs ago but there shouldn't be much between the pair on today's revised terms, though the latter again looked a short runner over hurdles when touched off here next time. John Quinn's six-year-old has since finished a close fourth under a penalty at Doncaster and could come out on top again today but he has to give 7lb to DONTPAYTHEFERRYMAN. Paul Gallagher's claim reduces the burden further on Brian Ellison's gelding, who has won four of his last five starts on the all-weather this winter and boasts solid form over hurdles on soft ground. Pokfulham was runner-up over 2m4f here off this mark 10 days ago and is probably best of the rest ahead of Gringo and Grand Diamond, who may need this.
Gringo 9-2 (11-4) Held up towards rear, mistake 2nd, jumped slowly and dropped rear 7th, no danger after, 5th of 8, 48l behind Stagecoach Pearl (11-7) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Nov.
Viva Colonia (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway after 4 out, soon chased leaders, weakened 2 out, hit last, 6th of 13, 22l behind Santa's Son (11-12) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft.
King Fingal (IRE) 11-4fav (11-5) Held up in touch, in 4th approaching 3 out, ridden before next, weakened before last, 4th of 11, 8l behind Solis (10-2) at Doncaster 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
Kilbrannish Hill (IRE) 8-1 (10-7) Mid-division, progress into 6th after halfway, 2nd after 3 out, soon challenged, 3rd and no impression approaching last, no extra run-in, 4th of 13, 5l behind Whodoyouthink (11-12) at Gowran Park 2m 1f hcp hdl 8Evens30 sft in Jan.
Grand Diamond (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Held up behind, headway after 3 out, ridden and kept on after last, 3rd of 15, 3 1/2l behind Altan Khan (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Nov.
Dontpaytheferryman (USA) 9-4fav (10-3) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 4th, led between 3 out and 2 out, ridden and headed 2 out, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 6, 12l behind Keki Buku (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Nov.
Pokfulham (IRE) 10-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, chased winner from 6th, ridden before 2 out, kept on from last, 2nd of 13, 3l behind Santa's Son (11-12) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft.
Kaolak (USA) 11-10fav (11-4) Held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders approaching 5th, led after 4 out, ridden before last, kept on, caught close home, 2nd of 13, shd behind Silverlord (11-11) at Musselburgh 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Jan.
