held up in mid-division, closer but still off the pace in 4th after 2nd, chased leaders approaching 2 out, led last, driven and kept on run-in, headed and no extra towards finish
off the pace in 5th after 2nd, weakened 4 out
always behind, never on terms, tailed off
led and soon clear, reduced lead 2 out, wandered and headed before the last, weakened run-in
always towards rear, never on terms
held up off the pace in mid-division, good headway on outside chasing leader before 2 out, led before the last, narrowly headed last, rallied to lead again towards finish
chased leaders, hit 3rd, chased clear leader 3 out, lost 2nd before next, soon weakened
held up well off the pace towards rear, good headway on wide outside 2 out, 5th and no impression when hit last
always behind, never on terms
raced wide in mid-division, weakened before 3 out, , pulled up soon after
chased clear leader until 3 out, weakened before next
Gunnery made all for an easy victory at Doncaster last week but will need to settle better here to last home under a penalty. He will also face a battle for the lead with habitual front-runner Totterdown, a wide-margin winner here in November. Blu Cavalier was also successful last time on Town Moor but the Henderson second string Mill Green is returning from an absence along with the Tizzard pair, Eldorado Allen and Ainchea, and Remiluc. SMARTY WILD (NAP) won on soft going at Exeter in November and would have finished closer with a clear run in a Listed race here four weeks ago. He holds Ruacana on that form and could have the race run to suit.
Eldorado Allen (FR) 8-13fav (11-4) Hampered and unseated rider 1st, at Aintree 2m 1f (3) sft in Dec.
Blu Cavalier 14-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, soon ridden, hung left and led approaching last, ridden clear and stayed on well, won at Doncaster 2m 1f hcp (2) sft in Dec beating Irish Roe (11-11) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
Remiluc (FR) 6-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 5th, led before 2 out, soon headed, hampered at 2 out, 1 1/2 lengths 2nd when jinked right and unseated rider last, at Plumpton 2m hcp (2) hvy in Apr.
Totterdown Evensfav (11-12) Made all, keen early and soon 15 lengths clear, drew further clear 4 out, weakened after last, unchallenged, won at Sandown 2m hcp (3) hvy in Nov beating Nebuchadnezzar (11-4) by 10l, 8 ran.
Ainchea (IRE) 11-8 (11-6) Led and set steady pace, green in front and wandered at some flights, quickened approaching 2 out, 2 lengths ahead when fell last, at Sandown 2m (3) sft in Feb.
Mill Green 9-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 3 out, mistake 2 out, 3rd and beaten before last, one pace, 3rd of 7, 10 1/2l behind Dashel Drasher (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 4f (2) gd in Apr.
Smarty Wild 5-1fav (10-13) Mid-division, headway and in touch before 3rd, effort before 2 out, soon ridden and every chance, no extra before last, 4th of 13, 7l behind Mack The Man (10-1) at Sandown 2m hcp lst (1) hvy in Dec.
Distingo (IRE) 50-1 (10-11) Held up behind, headway before 2 out, chased leaders between last 2, kept on same pace, no impression, 6th of 13, 11 1/4l behind Mack The Man (10-1) at Sandown 2m hcp lst (1) hvy in Dec.
John Constable (IRE) 40-1 (11-7) Held up behind, driven after 2 out, ridden and kept on under pressure flat, never nearer, 7th of 13, 9 1/4l behind Repetitio (10-2) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Ruacana 8-1 (10-2) In touch on outside, effort when not fluent 2 out, one pace between last 2, mistake last, no impression flat, 5th of 13, 8 3/4l behind Mack The Man (10-1) at Sandown 2m hcp lst (1) hvy in Dec.
Gunnery (FR) 2-1fav (11-7) Raced keenly, made virtually all, clear when reached for 2 out, kept on strongly, unchallenged, won at Doncaster 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in Dec beating The Twisler (11-6) by 12l, 11 ran.
