held up in touch, not fluent 6th, ridden to lead after 3 out, headed after 2 out, soon edged left and one pace
held up in touch, ridden approaching 3 out, 4th and beaten when mistake 2 out
held up in touch, ridden and weakened 3 out
chased leaders, lost place 5th, stayed on from 2 out, kept on flat
mid-division, driven after 7th, never near leaders
took keen hold in rear, hit 2nd, behind when not fluent 5th
held up, some headway 7th, no further progress
took keen hold in rear, always behind
always behind led, not fluent 3rd, headed 7th, weakened quickly and pulled up before 3 out
led, not fluent 3rd, headed 7th, weakened quickly and pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, some headway 5th, behind from 7th
always behind, tailed off when mistake 2 out, pulled up before last
held up in touch, not fluent 4th, led after 2 out, stayed on well
mid-division, pushed along 6th, soon struggling
tracked leader, led 7th until after 3 out, weakened after 2 out
This is a cracker and the shortlist of Oscar Park, Mr Pointment and Pirate Flagship picks itself, with the vote going to Oscar Park. Quite simply, Oscar Park has oozed class in winning twice this term, Mr Pointment looked one to follow when winning at Market Rasen, and Pirate Flagship hacked up here over a slightly shorter trip here last time, the form looking pretty solid. Of the others, Dream Alliance has shown bumper promise, Nicky Henderson's Keswick is an interesting debutant, Wee Robbie's form is reasonable and Saddlers Cloth looks open to improvement. However, the vote goes to Oscar Park, although he will have to be decent to get the better of two very good rivals giving them weight.
Oscar Park (IRE) 2-7fav (11-5) Led 2nd, made rest, clear from 7th, eased run-in, won at Windsor 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gd in Nov beating Dearson (10-12) by 14l, 9 ran.
Mr Pointment (IRE) 11-8fav (10-12) Chased leader, led approaching 2 out, driven out, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (E) gs in Nov beating Nor'nor'east (11-5) by 2l, 16 ran.
Pirate Flagship (FR) 15-8fav (11-2) In touch, tracked leader after 5th, shaken up to lead 2 out, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Newbury 2m nh mdn hdl (D) gd in Nov beating Wogan (11-2) by 6l, 17 ran.
Dream Alliance 5-2fav (11-0) In touch, effort to chase winner final 2f, kept on under pressure final furlong, just held, 2nd of 17, nk behind Tokala (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m nhf (H) gd in Oct.
Finsbury Fred (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, hit 3 out, one pace under pressure from next, 4th of 12, 19l behind Fleurette (10-7) at Lingfield 2m 3f nh nov hdl (D) hvy in Nov.
Icomb (IRE) Zaffaran gelding, full brother to winning chaser Muttley Maguire.
Keswick (IRE) Taipan gelding out of an unraced mare.
King Louis (FR) 66-1 (11-4) Towards rear, some headway 3f out, weakened 2f out, 13th of 21, 29l behind Wichita Lineman (10-13) at Newbury 2m 4yo nhf (H) gd in Nov.
Letsplay (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Behind, ridden along 4th, effort after 7th, soon weakened, tailed off, 6th of 7, well behind Rimsky (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 (A) sft in Oct.
Little Saltee (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Held up, struggling from 5th, 7th of 13, 41l behind Swift Swallow (10-4) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (D) gd in Feb.
Lordington Lad 9-2 (11-4) Raced wide, made most to 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 16, 18l behind Heraldry (11-6) at Towcester 2m nhf (H) sft in Nov.
Nice Horse (FR) 2-1fav (10-12) Prominent, led approaching 4th, ridden and headed 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 7th of 17, 23l behind Siberian Highness (10-5) at Warwick 2m nov hdl (E) gd in Nov.
Sativa Bay 14-1 (11-0) Behind from 2nd, tailed off, last of 11, well behind Inaro (11-0) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (E) sft.
Secured (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway over 6f out, weakened well over 2f out, 11th of 20, 26l behind The Big Canadian (11-4) at Haydock 2m nhf (H) gd in Oct.
Stoney Drove (FR) 17-2 (11-0) Chased leaders, promising effort over 3f out, ridden and one pace final 2f, 4th of 8, 14l behind Here's Johnny (11-0) at Sandown 2m nhf (H) gs in Nov.
Wee Robbie 5-2 (10-12) In touch, tracked leader after 5th, led next, ridden and headed last, stayed on, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Be Be King (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m 4f nov hdl (D) gd in Nov.
Saddlers Cloth (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Midfield, effort into 3rd over 2f out, faded final furlong, 4th of 10, 11l behind Ben's Turn (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 2f mrs nhf (H) sft in Nov.
Sunley Shines 20-1 (10-7) Led, headed between last 2, no extra, 3rd of 10, 19l behind Senorita Rumbalita (10-7) at Folkestone 2m 1f nh nov hdl (E) gs in Nov.
