led until after 2nd, chased leader until 10th, chased leading pair, 2nd again 4 out until next, driven along and no chance with leading pair before 2 out, left poor 2nd at the last
in rear, pushed along and struggling before 10th, tailed off 12th, pulled up soon after
tracked leaders, blundered 2nd, went 2nd 10th, led 12th, awkward 3 out (water), pressed when left in command next, left well clear at the last
chased leader, led after 2nd until 12th, lost 2nd and weakened 4 out, soon behind, left poor 4th at the last, tailed off
held up, headway 11th, 3rd after 4 out, 2nd when mistake 3 out (water), every chance when blundered 2 out, soon ridden and held, fell heavily last
took keen hold, tracking leaders when blundered 2nd, in touch, disputing 3rd at 9th, ridden and struggling after 12th, left poor 3rd at the last
chased leading pair until went right 3rd and reminders, dropped to last pair and reminders 6th, reminders and struggling 8th, tailed off and pulled up before 10th
Nonrunner
Rusty Nail was only seventh in this last year and is 9lb higher. Stablemate North London was pulled up on his chasing bow but Vering ran well from a long way out of the handicap when second at Stratford last week and won't be far away if in the same mood. Lamb's Cross looked beaten when unseating his rider in that race and looks held. ALRIGHT BENNY was pulled up last time and is probably high enough in the weights but he won under today's amateur at Fakenham on New Year's Day and this isn't much better.
Alright Benny (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Tracked winner until 10th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out, in a race won by De Kerry Man (12-5) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Mar, 5 ran.
Bally Gunner 25-1 (10-9) Towards rear, headway 7th, chased leaders 10th, outpaced 4 out, no impression in 4th when not fluent 2 out, 4th of 9, 27l behind Strawberry Hill (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Feb.
Lamb's Cross 9-2 (9-9) Behind, some headway when badly hampered 4 out, behind when unseated rider next, in a race won by Little Jimmy (10-10) at Stratford 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Mar, 11 ran.
Vering (FR) 33-1 (9-11) Tracked clear leader, close up 8th, led 2 out, ridden and headed flat, kept on, 2nd of 11, 1l behind Little Jimmy (10-10) at Stratford 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Mar.
Schindlers Rock (IRE) 11-2 (10-10) Held up, hit 2nd, behind from 14th, tailed off, 5th of 7, well behind Red Anchor (10-1) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gs in Mar.
North London 33-1 (9-12) Well in rear, tailed off 6th, pulled up soon after next, in a race won by Jay Are (12-3) at Exeter 2m 3f 5yo nov hcp (4) gs in Mar, 10 ran.
Cypress Grove (IRE) 5-1 (10-3) Led, blundered 2nd, headed 4 out, chased winner, ridden and no impressiopn before 3 out, lost 2nd approaching last, one pace, 3rd of 5, 21l behind Volio Vincente (10-0) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp 0-100 (5) hvy in Nov.
Rusty Nail (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, outpaced from 6 out, 5th of 7, 30l behind Star Presenter (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gd in Mar.