held up in mid-division, some headway when mistake 8th, soon weakened, pulled up before 4 out
prominent, pushed along after 4 out, soon beaten, weakened 2 out
mid-division, pecked 4th, lost place before 7th, hampered next, well beaten from 9th, mistake 3 out
mid-division on outside, headway 4th, led 2 out, mistake last, all out
held up in rear, not fluent 6th, hampered and unseated rider 8th
chased leaders, pecked 4th, fell 8th
led 1st, headed before 4th, lost a few places before 5th, effort before 8th, weakened 3 out
behind, headway 4 out, stayed on from 2 out, went 2nd close home, not reach winner
tended to jump right, led until 1st, led before 4th, headed 2 out, lost 2nd close home
DUNLY has a 7lb penalty for a recent course and distance success but was a really smooth victor on that occasion and should be hard to beat if in the same mood here. He gets on well with Brian Hughes and can complete the three-timer. The majority of the opposition are not currently in the best of form, although What's The Scoop, steadily running into form, is a notable exception and seen as the likeliest danger. Ripstick is one of the more consistent performers on view and could well get closer to the selection on these terms than when the pair came home first and third at Ayr earlier this month. Uno Valoroso disappointed latterly but has a claim if bouncing back.
Sword Of Fate (IRE) 25-1 (11-8) Chased leaders on outside, hit 8th, outpaced 4 out, plugged on run-in, 4th of 6, 20 1/4l behind Defi Sacre (11-8) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Dunly (FR) 13-8fav (10-10) Not fluent 1st, led until pecked and headed 5th, left in front next, clear from 3 out, hit last, won at Newcastle 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan beating Maxed Out King (11-2) by 9l, 5 ran.
Bleu Et Noir 7-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, outpaced after 3 out, 5th and no impression when blundered and almost unseated rider next, no danger after, 5th of 9, 13l behind Ouro Branco (11-12) at Catterick 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
What's The Scoop (IRE) 11-4fav (11-10) Held up in touch, went 2nd after 4 out, every chance 3 out, switched right approaching last, ridden and one pace flat, 2nd of 7, 2 3/4l behind Pinch Of Ginger (12-0) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Jan.
Uno Valoroso (FR) 8-1 (11-3) Pressed leader, led briefly 4 out, ridden and lost place after next, weakened between last 2, 6th of 11, 17 1/2l behind Starplex (11-6) at Newcastle 2m hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Voila Eric 16-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, went 2nd 10th, ridden and hit 2 out, soon lost 2nd, ridden between last 2, weakened badly run-in, 5th of 13, 23 1/4l behind Manofthemoment (11-12) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Carlingford Prince (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, weakened 8th, left remote 4th 2 out, 4th of 8, 27 3/4l behind Dunly (11-5) at Ayr 2m hcp (5) hvy in Jan.
Ripstick 3-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway into 3rd approaching 4 out, left in well held 2nd place 2 out, dropped to 3rd at the last, 3rd of 8, 7 3/4l behind Dunly (11-5) at Ayr 2m hcp (5) hvy in Jan.
Frankie Ballou (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Prominent, joined leader 5th, reminder after 6th, led before 3 out, headed and ridden after 2 out, weakened before last, 4th of 11, 13 1/2l behind Ripstick (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m hcp (5) sft in Dec.
