ran in snatches, chased leading trio until dropped to rear at 5th, pushed along before 10th, rallied in 4th at 15th, closer in 3rd 4 out until next, hung left and no impression when went 3rd again before 2 out
led until 2nd, chased leader until 14th, chased leaders, pushed along after 5 out, jumped slowly and lost place next, behind and never on terms after, went remote 4th at the last
led 2nd, pushed along and headed 3 out, lost 2nd before next, soon weakened
held up last, closer in 4th at 5th, went 3rd at 12th, dropped to rear again 15th, pushed along and headway out wide 4 out, went 2nd before 2 out, hung left and held run-in
chased clear leading pair until 12th, went 2nd at 14th, led 3 out, stayed on well run-in
Cyclop returned to winning ways at Musselburgh a month ago. De Rasher Counter was second in one of these at Warwick in November but a long way behind CLOTH CAP in the Becher at Aintree subsequently. Jonjo O’Neill’s stayer returns to the scene of his greatest triumph in the 2020 Ladbrokes Trophy and is a pound lower in the weights now. Mister Malarky is respected on his close second at Exeter and Larry won at Ascot in November so can’t be ignored.
Mister Malarky 10-3 (12-0) Chased leaders, went 2nd 4th, led 3 out, driven before 2 out, a little slow last, headed flat, stayed on, just held, 2nd of 6, nk behind Musical Slave (11-1) at Exeter 3m hcp (2) gd in Feb.
De Rasher Counter 18-1 (12-0) Chased leader until 12th, still in touch when fell 4 out, at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (2) gs in Feb.
Cloth Cap (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Prominent, mistake 2nd, hit 12th and lost position, slow jump 13th, lost touch 5 out and pulled up, at Doncaster 3m hcp (1) gd in Jan.
Larry 9-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, hit 10th, headway 13th, not much room after 4 out, lost place before 2 out, 7th of 12, 18 1/4l behind Castle Robin (11-5) at Sandown 3m hcp (2) gs in Feb.
Cyclop (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Led until 11th, chased leader, led again before 4 out, hit next, came clear before 2 out, easily, won at Musselburgh 3m hcp (3) gs in Feb beating Mr Muldoon (11-10) by 8l, 7 ran.