made all, hit 3rd, pushed along on long run after 2 out, stayed on gamely run-in
mid-division, not much room after 2 out (normal 3 out), ridden in 5th before the last, modest 4th after the last
held up towards rear, headway on outside bypassing 2 out, well held 4th when mistake last, weakened run-in
chased leaders, jumped slowly 4th, weakened before bypassing 2 out, pulled up before last
chased leaders, pushed along bypassing 2 out, soon weakened
chased winner, hit 1st, lost 2nd before the last, no extra in 3rd
held up in mid-division, good headway chasing leaders bypassing 2 out, went 2nd before the last, ridden and stayed on same pace run-in
held up last, pushed along on long run after 2 out (normal 3 out), never a factor, tailed off
held up in last pair, pushed along before chasing bypassing 2 out, soon weakened, went modest 5th post
STICK WITH BILL found life far too demanding when a well-beaten fourth of five in the Grade 1 Challow Hurdle and should be a leading contender returned to lesser company here. His previous success over Fado Des Brosses reads well as does his runner-up effort behind King Roland in a bumper. He houses scope for plenty of improvement, has won on the heavy and can defy topweight. Dublin Four continues to knock on the door and his latest effort when a neck second to Elvis Mail at Kelso looks strong. He should go well again. Ambion Hill, Iconic Muddle and Lisa De Vassy are all improving with their racing and are respected, with the latter making most appeal on just a fourth start for the champion trainer off a decent mark.
Stick With Bill (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Pushed along at times, chased leader until not fluent 1st, handy 3rd, 2nd again after 4 out until soon after next, weakened before 2 out, 4th of 5, 32 1/2l behind Thyme Hill (11-7) at Newbury 2m 5f (1) sft in Dec.
Special Acceptance 25-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, not fluent 6th, effort 4 out, soon weakened, 9th of 14, 21 1/2l behind Silver Sheen (10-4) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Dublin Four (IRE) 9-2 (10-2) Chased front pair on outside, close up 4 out, led narrowly 2 out, ridden between last 2, headed narrowly approaching last, rallied flat, just held, 2nd of 4, nk behind Elvis Mail (11-6) at Kelso 2m hcp (2) hvy in Jan.
Equus Dancer (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Raced keenly, led until slow 6t, lost place before 2 out, soon weakened, 8th of 15, dist behind Harry Senior (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 3f mdn (4) hvy in Dec.
Ambion Hill (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Led until after 1st, chased leader, led 2 out, headed flat, kept on, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Le Cameleon (11-5) at Chepstow 2m mdn (5) hvy in Jan.
Iconic Muddle 4-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, wide in back straight, 2nd before 4 out, mistake next, well held when went badly left 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Cat Tiger (11-8) at Plumpton 2m 5f (3) sft in Jan.
Lisa De Vassy (FR) 14-1 (10-10) Mid-division, chased leaders 3 out, hampered when left 2nd next, kept on same pace, no chance with winner after, 2nd of 12, 9l behind Whitehotchillifili (10-10) at Wincanton 1m 7f (4) hvy in Dec.
Barntown (IRE) 6-1 (10-3) Mid-division, chased leaders 2 out, ridden and one pace before last, kept on flat, no impression, 6th of 13, 7l behind Repetitio (10-2) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
On The Quiet (FR) 4-1 (10-13) Held up, took keen hold, mistake and unseated rider 4th, at Chepstow 2m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
