held up in touch in last trio, headway chasing leaders approaching 8th (water), 3rd when hit 4 out, ridden and went 2nd before 2 out, dropped to 3rd approaching and blundered last
made all, hit 9th, mostly clear from 3 out, driven and stayed on strongly run-in, unchallenged
chased leaders on inside until pushed along and outpaced before 5 out, rallied before 3 out, 3rd next, went 2nd approaching the last, stayed on same pace run-in
held up in touch in last pair, closer tracking leaders 10th, went 2nd 5 out until before 2 out, soon weakened
held up until mistake and unseated rider 1st
chased winner until weakened 13th, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
raced keenly, held up in rear, outpaced approaching 11th, rallied briefly approaching 4 out where jumped slowly and weakened
chased leaders, went 2nd 13th until 5 out, pushed along and weakened before next, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
NonRunner
NonRunner
St Barts ran a race full of promise behind Ofalltheginjoints at Exeter and can confirm that form with third Thegallantway, despite worse terms, with improvement likely. Versatility took advantage of a lenient mark to score at Ludlow but doesn’t look an easy ride and is 6lb higher here. Danse Idol didn’t seem to enjoy chasing at Fontwell so has a bit to prove but No Getaway finished ahead of a subsequent winner when second at Market Rasen and will know more today. Republican was beaten 12 lengths when favourite at Southwell but DUBLIN FOUR was only headed on the run-in at Doncaster. The bottom weight is only a pound higher here and looks like making a much better chaser than hurdler.
Thegallantway (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Chased leader and close up, not fluent 8th and11th, every chance when edging left 4 out, jumped left 3 out and hampered st barts, no match for winner when pushed along 2 out, soon ridden and weakened closing stages, 3rd of 9, 6 1/4l behind Ofalltheginjoints (11-10) at Exeter 3m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
St Barts (IRE) 15-2 (10-13) Close up, disputed lead after 12th, not fluent 4 out, hampered and carried left 3 out, switched right before 2 out, rallied well on the run to the last, stayed on strongly to press leader close home, 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Ofalltheginjoints (11-10) at Exeter 3m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Versatility 4-1 (11-9) Prominent, jumped big and lost place 2nd, headway on inside after 14th, 2nd when pecked, hampered and left in lead 3 out, jumped left and not fluent 2 out, went left last, driven clear flat, won at Ludlow 3m 2f hcp (3) gd in Nov beating Forgot To Ask (11-7) by 4 3/4l, 7 ran.
No Getaway (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Midfield, 2nd jumping 5th, pushed to front before 3 out, headed 2 out, soon ridden, kept on behind comfortable winner, 2nd of 8, 5 1/2l behind Ballyhome (11-8) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Spider's Bite (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Unseated rider going out, chased leaders, pushed along before 4 out, 5th and weakening when pulled up before 3 out, at Doncaster 3m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Diable De Sivola (FR) 17-2 (11-9) Last trio, behind 8th, tailed off and pulled up before 16th, at Sandown 3m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Post War 40-1 (10-3) Held up towards rear, not fluent 2nd, mistake 1th, headway chasing leaders approaching 13th, plugged on, never on terms, 6th of 11, 31l behind Burbank (10-12) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Dublin Four (IRE) 17-2 (10-7) Tracked leader, close up 7th, ridden and outpaced 4 out, mistake 2 out, jumped into lead last, stayed on flat, headed close home, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Imperil (10-5) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Danse Idol (IRE) 6-4 (10-12) Chased leaders, overjumped 3rd, jumped big 6th, not fluent 11th, pushed along before 3 out, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 4, dist behind Midnightreferendum (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 3f (4) gs in Nov.
Republican 15-8fav (12-2) Led until 5th, pressed leader, mistake 6th, every chance 4 out, led 3 out, headed before 2 out, 2 lengths 2nd at last, outpaced on home bend, no match for winner, 2nd of 7, 12l behind Mister Murchan (10-13) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
