chased leaders, led soon after 10th until next, chased winner until soon after 3 out, weakened well before next, tailed off
chased leaders, ridden after 9th, weakened before 11th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
held up in mid-division, good headway approaching 10th, led next, going strongly when blundered 2 out, headed before last, rallied gamely to lead again towards finish
towards rear, headway to 5th when mistake 3 out, went modest 4th before 2 out, never on terms with leaders
mid-division, lost place and struggling towards rear 5th, tailed off when pulled up approaching 10th
always in rear, tailed off
held up towards rear, steady headway approaching 7th, went 3rd beore 3 out, chased winner soon after 3 out and driven, looked held until winner blundered and lost momentum 2 out, led before last, hard driven and headed towards finish
towards rear when fell 3rd
chased leaders, hit 10th, weakened before next, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, some headway approaching 10th, went 4th at 11th, mistake 3 out, went modest 3rd before next
pressed leader, led briefly 10th, soon driven, weakened soon after next, tailed off
led, mistake and headed 10th, dropped to 3rd, went 2nd again before next, weakened before 3 out, tailed off and pulled up before next
behind, struggling 7th, tailed off and pulled up before 11th
chased leaders, lost place approaching 5th, tailed off 7th, pulled up before next
AP McCoy was on board when Rocky Ryan justified favouritism at Fakenham in 2009 and though his mount hasn't been seen since that year the fact that he's been booked here entitles Jim Best's charge to the utmost respect. Border Lad blows hot and cold but didn't stay 3m2f at Hereford last time after a good run over 2m4f there previously. Chicharito, a winning point-to-pointer, showed that a stamina test is required when runner-up over 3m2f here in December while Dakota Boy had slipped to a very fair mark when runner-up to Changing Lanes at Southwell and connections won't be pleased with a 5lb rise. VELATOR attracted strong support at Taunton last week despite very poor previous form and he duly obliged. A 7lb penalty is unlikely to halt his progress and he should complete a quick double.
Dakota Boy (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway approaching 4th, challenged 9th, led next, headed flat, held clsoe home, 2nd of 14, 2l behind Changing Lanes (11-5) at Southwell 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs.
Royal Kicks (FR) 33-1 (10-3) In touch, pushed along briefly 6th, reminder 8th, outpaced 10th, weakened after 3 out, tailed off, 10th of 12, well behind Night In Milan (11-5) at Southwell 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Jan.
Velator 10-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 5th, led next, came clear before 2 out, stayed on strongly, won at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs beating Kowloon (11-7) by 2 1/4l, 13 ran.
Blue Lovell (FR) 9-2 (10-12) In rear, mistake 9th, modest 5th when mistake 14th, blundered when beaten 4 out, tailed off, 5th of 9, 50l behind Ballinhassig (9-11) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gs in Jan.
Flying Whale 20-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, pushed along before 4 out, blundered 2 out, one pace, 4th of 10, 11l behind Orvita (10-10) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy in Jan.
Acosta 8-1 (11-5) Prominent, led 6th until after 7th, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 16, 25l behind Hobb's Dream (10-9) at Taunton 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Jan.
Rocky Ryan (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) Prominent, lost place 5th, 11th of 13, well behind Changing Lanes (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in May '09.
Homer Run (IRE) 9-2 (10-7) Held up, outpaced in modest 6th from 9th, no impression, 5th of 10, well behind Oscar Charlie (10-0) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Jan.
Border Lad 13-2 (10-10) Chased leaders, pushed along and weakened before 4 out, 12th of 16, well behind Ukrainian Star (11-7) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Dec.
Zouti (FR) 66-1 (10-2) Chasing leaders when stumbled badly 1st, lost place and towards rear after next, never on terms after, tailed off, 8th of 13, well behind Ashbrittle (11-2) at Lingfield 2m mdn hdl (5) hvy in Jan.
Le Chasse Spleen (FR) 9-2 (10-11) Tracked leaders, mistake 10th, soon ridden, weakened next, tailed off, 6th of 14, 39l behind Changing Lanes (11-5) at Southwell 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs.
Chicharito (IRE) 14-1 (10-3) Chased leader, led 4 out, joined 2 out, pressed last, soon headed, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 6l behind Hazy Bay (11-10) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Dec.
Upton Mead (IRE) 14-1 (10-3) Held up, headway after 5th, ridden after 7th, soon beaten, tailed off, 8th of 11, well behind Kahsabelle (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs.
Pitton Rivers 100-1 (11-0) Raced keenly towards rear, slow 6th, headway 3 out, weakened before next, 8th of 11, 39l behind One More Cookie (11-3) at Plumpton 2m 5f mares NH nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
