held up in midfield, ridden before 4 out, one pace from 2 out
led, hit 11th and headed, led again after 14th, ridden clear 4 out, hit 3 out, still clear leader approaching last, stayed on strongly from last
pressed leader, led 11th, headed after 14th, ridden before 4 out, weakened before 2 out
midfield, hit 2nd, ridden after 14th, lost ground before 4 out, kept on one pace from 2 out
held up in rear, ridden and headway before 4 out, chased leader when not fluent 3 out, kept on from last but could not match winner
held up in rear, ridden after 14th, well off the pace 4 out, one pace from 3 out
Brian Hughes was on board when BOOTLEGGER (NAP) was narrowly beaten into third in what looked a better race than this at Market Rasen. Neil Mullholland's charge has generally performed in stronger company and can concede weight all round. Irish raider Theatre World has only raced on ground with plenty of give so could do with some rain while King's Wharf went up 10lb for an easy victory in a Class 5 handicap at Hexham and hasn't been able to cope. Henry's Joy, who alternates between hurdles and fences, showed his best recent form on fast ground at Sedgefield so conditions should play to his strengths while Izzy's Champion has won over shorter around here.
Bootlegger (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, pecked 4 out before closing, pressing for 2nd from 2 out, stayed on, no impression on winner, 3rd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Cool Destination (11-7) at Market Rasen 3m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Theatre World (IRE) 12-1 (11-13) Led early, soon joined, headed from 2nd, prominent, 4th after 6th, no extra and one pace between last 2, 6th of 18, 20 1/4l behind King Alex (11-3) at Navan 2m 6f hcp Soft - Heavy in Nov.
King's Wharf (IRE) 3-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, not fluent 7th and ridden along, ridden after 12th, faded from 4 out, 5th of 6, 24 1/2l behind Valadom (11-12) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Gun Merchant 20-1 (11-7) Midfield, took closer order 7th, lost ground 3 out, ridden before 2 out, tailed off before last, 7th of 10, 32 1/4l behind Ain't My Fault (11-7) at Hexham 2m hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Henry's Joy (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Not always fluent, towards rear, tried to close before 2 out, no impression, mistake last, 6th of 12, 15 1/2l behind Piggy Winkle (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Izzy's Champion (IRE) 22-1 (10-4) Held up towards rear, plugged on from 2 out, went right last, modest 4th run-in, no impression, 4th of 11, 9 1/2l behind Ratfacemcdougall (10-9) at Musselburgh 3m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
