led, ridden after 3 out, soon hard pressed, headed after next, kept on until no extra flat
keen early, soon tracked leader, blundered and lost 2nd 14th, weakened from 3 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd 14th, challenged after 3 out, led after next, soon ridden, stayed on to go clear flat (no time taken)
held up, mistake 10th, struggling 12th, soon lost touch, tailed off
in touch, blundered and lost place 4th, behind when pulled up before 6th
Nonrunner
Donald McCain won't have had many runners at Plumpton over the years and Youngstown will be fancied to pay for the long journey but he may be worth taking on with BENCH WARRENT with Maktu possibly best of the remainder. Youngstown has been raised by a total of 15lbs for his two recent successes which is by no means insurmountable, particularly given how well he won last time and he appeals as one to keep on side. In spite of that, we're going to take a chance with Charlie Mann's runner who needs to bounce back from a couple of disappointing runs although, in fairness, he was up against some fair tools. This is more realistic and we'll give him the chance to bounce back to form. Maktu has shown a decent level of form in his three starts over fences and won't be long in winning whilst Kawagino, Lord Appellare and Silver Bay have all been showing a fair level of form in the main and aren't back numbers although the last named does need to step up on his chase bow. Vamizi was well held behind Maktu at Uttoxeter before running no race on his handicap bow at Leicester but he was well backed that day and is well worth bearing in mind as he's a half-brother to the yard's King Harald. In essence, then, we're not in a rush to rule out any of the seven runners but will opt for Bench Warrent.
Youngstown (IRE) 9-2 (11-9) Chased leaders, led 14th, clear from 3 out, won at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Dec beating Border Reiver (11-5) by 9l, 10 ran.
Maktu 10-1 (11-6) Behind, blundered 3rd and 5th, headway 13th, stayed on from 3 out, not pace to reach leaders, 4th of 13, 9l behind Doctor Pat (10-13) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec.
Kawagino (IRE) 5-2fav (11-5) Chased leaders, under pressure 3 out, soon ridden, never on terms, 3rd of 6, 6l behind Zanzibar Boy (10-12) at Fakenham 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft.
Silver Bay 15-2 (11-5) Held up, ridden 5 out, weakened 3 out, 4th of 6, 34l behind Victorias Groom (11-10) at Lingfield 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec.
Lord Appellare (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway to chase leading trio 4 out, went 3rd next, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 8, 8l behind Iconoclast (11-11) at Kempton 3m nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft.
Bench Warrent (IRE) 9-1 (11-8) Led, ridden and headed 14th, chased winner until 3 out, soon outpaced, last of 3, 13l behind Burton Port (11-5) at Lingfield 3m nov chs Grade 2 4yo+ (1) hvy in Dec.
Vamizi (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Always in rear, behind from 8th, 8th of 11, 46l behind Bubble Boy (11-4) at Leicester 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Dec.
