held up in rear, under pressure 3 out, soon beaten
chased leaders, took closer order 3 out, ridden to challenge after next, every chance after last, just failed
tracked leader, not fluent 8th, effort 3 out, weakened before last
held up in rear, mistake 4 out, headway to chase leaders after next, stayed on strongly closing stages, never able to challenge
in touch, went 2nd halfway, led 3 out, mistake next, soon headed, rallied last, ran on to lead again closing stages, just held on
led, mistake 5th, not fluent next, headed 3 out, led again approaching last, headed and no extra towards finish
Lord Du Mesnil has a chance at the weights but arrives out of form and point-to-point runner-up Ask Ben has a tough task on his debut under Rules. The remaining quartet have all won over timber with Monty's Award landing a handicap at Worcester and Informateur winning a novice event at Sedgefield. Windsor Avenue came good in a maiden hurdle at Hexham and BEAKSTOWN also beat maidens when scoring at Uttoxeter on his reappearance and first start after wind surgery. Dan Skelton’s charge beat the runner-up cosily enough, however, with the rest nowhere and should go on to better things now.
Monty's Award (IRE) 4-1fav (10-10) In touch in mid-division on inside, closed from 3 out, challenged 2 out, led last, ridden and stayed on flat, won at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Oct beating Commodore Barry (11-9) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
Beakstown (IRE) 5-4fav (11-0) With leader, led 7th, shaken up after 3 out, ridden when challenged flat, ran on well, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (5) gd in Nov beating Southern Sam (11-0) by 2l, 15 ran.
Informateur (FR) 2-5fav (11-2) Tracked leader, led before 4 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on strongly, won at Sedgefield 2m 5f (4) gd in Nov beating Mance Rayder (11-2) by 5l, 7 ran.
Windsor Avenue (IRE) 2-7fav (10-12) Tracked leader, led before 2 out, driven clear last, easily, won at Hexham 2m 4f mdn (4) gd in Nov beating Sheriff Garrett (10-12) by 4 1/2l, 6 ran.
Ask Ben (IRE) 7-1 (12-2) Chsd ldr, ld from 5th, 2l ld 1/2way, disp bef 3out, hdd close 2nd bef 2out, no ex in 3l 2nd bef last, ko flat, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Danny Whizzbang (12-2) at Ballysteen 3m mdn Yielding - Soft in Apr.
Lord Du Mesnil (FR) 11-1 (11-0) Led to 7th, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 15, 17 1/4l behind Beakstown (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn (5) gd in Nov.
