disputed 2nd, 2nd after 3 out, ridden and weakened before next, tailed off
chased clear leader, closer before 3 out, chased new leader after 3 out, led and not fluent 2 out, clear from last, stayed on strongly
held up in last trio, quick move to challenge and went left 3 out, led soon after, headed next, chased winner until between last 2, weakened soon after
led, clear 2nd, mistake 3rd, reduced lead when hit 3 out, soon headed and weakened rapidly, pulled up before next
raced wide, chased leaders, weakened rapidly after 3 out, tailed off and pulled up before next
held up in touch, hit 3rd, steady headway tracking leaders in 3rd before 2 out, 2nd between last two until approaching last, 3rd and held when hit last
reluctant to line up, held up towards rear, dropped to last before 4th, tailed off 6th, headway on inside tracking leaders in 4th approaching 2 out, 3rd between last 2, went 2nd approaching last, kept on same pace run-in
always behind, blundered and stumbled badly 6th, tailed off 3 out, pulled up soon after
chased leaders on inside, pushed along and outpaced after 3 out, ridden and weakened 2 out
NonRunner
This looks tricky but Another Venture has to be of interest on his handicap debut. Mixchievous is gradually towards a mark off which he should be capable of winning and Justification wasn’t disgraced after a long absence at Plumpton. Russian Service won a heavy-ground maiden at Chepstow last month but the handicapper has taken no chances. Towcester winner DRUID’S FOLLY failed to quicken when only third over 2m at Lingfield last time but the form of that race looks decent and this is a more suitable test for Fergal O’Brien’s charge. Cheque En Blanc is preferred to Welluptoscratch and Captain Felix of the others.
Russian Service 25-1 (11-5) Prominent, challenged 3rd, led after next, ridden clear last, stayed on well, won at Chepstow 2m mdn (5) hvy in Jan beating Bardd (11-5) by 5l, 13 ran.
Another Venture (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway before 5th, every chance 2 out, held flat, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 15, 3 1/4l behind Perfect Pirate (10-12) at Towcester 2m 5f (4) gs in Dec.
Druid's Folly (IRE) 7-4fav (11-10) Not fluent 1st, held up in touch, headway chasing leaders after 3 out, challenged and went left 2 out, 3rd and one pace between last 2, 3rd of 8, 6 1/2l behind Crievehill (12-0) at Lingfield 2m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Captain Felix 5-2 (11-5) Led, ridden 3 out, headed approaching next, plugged on, 2nd of 5, 28l behind Iconic Sky (10-0) at Fakenham 2m mdn (5) sft in Jan.
Butney Island (IRE) 50-1 (11-11) Tracked winner, pushed along disputing 2 lengths 2nd as runners came into view before 2 out, well behind in 8th jumping the last, last of 8, 35 1/4l behind Desert Sensation (11-5) at Ascot 3m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Justification 20-1 (11-5) Raced wide, in touch, headway tracking leaders when hit the last (usual 3 out), ridden bypassing omitted 2 out, weakened bypassing last, 4th of 11, 13 3/4l behind Golden Birthday (11-5) at Plumpton 2m (4) sft in Jan.
Mixchievous 8-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, weakened after last, 6th of 9, 15 1/2l behind Sleepy Haven (11-11) at Leicester 2m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Cheque En Blanc (FR) 14-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, closed on outside from after 5th, led before 2 out, headed just after hurdle, one pace flat, 4th of 10, 3 3/4l behind Wicked Willy (11-10) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Welluptoscratch (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, ridden before 2 out, mistake and lost 3rd last, weakened flat, 4th of 11, 10l behind Celestial Magic (12-5) at Warwick 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Chorus Of Lies 6-1 (11-7) Held up, in touch, on inside, mistake 3rd, outpaced in 4th after 3 out, mistake next, soon ridden and no impression, 4th of 7, 17 3/4l behind Snowed In (10-4) at Catterick 2m hcp (4) gs in Jan.
