tracked leaders, ridden to challenge 4 out, led before next, headed approaching last, weakened closing stages
held up in touch, headway 4 out, soon chasing leaders, every chance approaching last, kept on same pace
in touch, lost place 5th, mistake 8th, pushed along after next, outpaced 13th, detached 6 out, rallied after 2 out, ran on strongly to lead closing stages
led until 6 out, led again before 4 out, headed approaching next, rallied and led again after 2 out, mistake last, headed and no extra towards finish
held up in rear, not fluent 2nd, outpaced after 12th, blundered 6 out, soon pulled up
tracked leader, led 6 out, headed approaching 4 out, rallied after next, kept on same pace approaching last
Skipthescales just held on to win at Wetherby a fortnight ago when both Crest and Little Bruce were pulled up. He’s raised in class and upped 6lb today while Western Rules got no further than the first when unseating at Carlisle on his chasing debut behind third-placed Knockrobin last month. The latter has since disappointed at Haydock but ABSOLUTELY DYLAN won for the second time in only three starts over fences when successful at the same meeting and Sue Smith’s charge gets the vote to go in again with plenty of scope for further progress.
Knockrobin (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Chased front pair throughout, outpaced 4 out, soon beaten, no chance after, 3rd of 4, 14 3/4l behind Mr Whipped (11-2) at Haydock 2m 5f (2) hvy in Dec.
Western Rules (IRE) 7-2jfav (11-9) Mid-division, tracked leaders 4th, driven to chase winner when switched right before 2 out, soon ridden, kept on until no extra and well held flat, 2nd of 10, 6l behind Top Billing (10-0) at Carlisle 3m 1f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Skipthescales (IRE) 11-2 (11-4) In touch, headway 4 out, led approaching 2 out, soon joined, ridden and asserted towards finish, won at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Bako De La Saulaie (11-8) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Little Bruce (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) Led, hit 1st when rider lost iron briefly, ridden and headed on long run to 4 out and pulled up, at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Crest 33-1 (11-8) Raced wide in touch, ridden and weakened 14th, pulled up 3 out, at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Absolutely Dylan (IRE) 5-2jfav (11-0) Made most, not fluent 9th, headed narrowly after 3 out, regained narrowly lead last, ridden and stayed on gamely flat, just held on, all out, won at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (4) hvy in Dec beating Hills Of Dubai (11-9) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
