chased leaders, stumbled badly 18th, outpaced 3 out (normal 4 out), rallied bypassing omitted 3 out, challenged on outside last, soon led, ridden and strongly pressed all the way to the line, battled on gamely, all out
chased leaders, went 2nd 13th, pushed along and lost 2nd bypassing omitted 3 out, chased leaders, went 2nd again at the last, strong challenge and every chance edging left under pressure all the way to the line, just failed
held up and behind, bad blunder 12th, headway bypassing omitted 3 out, no impression in 5th soon after, weakened run-in
raced wide in mid-division, weakened after 4 out, tailed off
chased leader until pushed along 13th, soon lost place, weakening when mistake 15th, soon lost touch, tailed off and pulled up after 3 out (normal 4 out)
led and went clear 12th, pushed along bypassing omitted 3 out, headed next, soon ridden, lost 2nd at the last, weakened run-in
always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, jumped slowly 3rd, never a factor, tailed off and pulled up after 3 out (normal 4 out)
mistakes in mid-division, not fluent 5th, jumped slowly 10th, some headway 18th, weakened after 3 out (normal 4 out)
kept out wide, held up off the pace in last pair, good headway chasing leaders 18th, went 2nd bypassing omitted 3 out, led 2 out, awkward and headed last, weakened into 3rd run-in
Red Infantry isn’t getting any younger and probably prefers a faster surface but Christmas In April is a dour stayer who will strip fitter for a second at Carlisle. THE MIGHTY DON has been frustrating to follow but was unlucky to come up against a rejuvenated Yala Enki at Cheltenham last month and should also be competitive here if he handles these tricky fences. Larry was impressive at Ascot but didn’t appear to last home over this track and trip in the spring while the handicapper needs to cut Highland Hunter some slack. Deise Aba is 2-2 around here, however, and was only beaten a neck at Aintree last month while Strictlyadancer has rattled up a hat-trick but gone up a total of 19lb in doing so. Salty Boy has gone up 5lb for winning at Fontwell but is developing into a decent stayer.
Highland Hunter (IRE) 14-1 (11-3) Prominent early, chased leaders, 2nd before 3 out until 2 out, stayed on same pace last, lost 4th towards finish, 5th of 20, 5 3/4l behind Time To Get Up (10-10) at Uttoxeter 4m 2f hcp lst (1) gs in Mar.
Deise Aba (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 9th, not fluent 4 out, strong challenge from 2 out, every chance flat, held close home, 2nd of 11, nk behind Koshari (11-12) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Larry 9-1 (10-0) Raced keenly, held up well off the pace in rear, headway out wide chasing leaders 14th, closer in 4th before 2 out, challenged 2 out, soon ridden to lead and went clear, stayed on strongly, won at Ascot 3m hcp (1) sft in Oct beating Checkitout (10-0) by 6 1/2l, 14 ran.
The Mighty Don (IRE) 5-2jfav (10-6) Tracked leaders until lost place 3rd, blundered and almost unseated rider 7th, soon recovered, closer 13th, pushed along after 17th, outpaced before 3 out, rallied on inside and awkward last, ran on and went 2nd final 100 yards, not reach winner, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Yala Enki (11-12) at Cheltenham 3m 3f hcp (1) gd in Nov.
Christmas In April (FR) 16-1 (11-11) Led, headed narrowly and remained close up 13th, ridden before 2 out, kept on well but not pace of winner from final fence, 2nd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Hold That Taught (11-5) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Red Infantry (IRE) 18-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace, 6th of 11, 10 1/4l behind Final Nudge (10-12) at Warwick 3m hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Strictlyadancer (IRE) 7-4fav (10-5) In rear, in touch, not fluent 7th and 10th, effort and headway into 4th 4 out, pressed leader 3 out, pushed along and led before last, stayed on well, reduced lead run-in but always doing enough, won at Haydock 3m 2f hcp (2) gs in Nov beating Empire Steel (11-9) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Salty Boy (IRE) 4-1 (10-9) Held up, ridden 4 out, headway to track leader 2 out, took lead after last, stayed on strongly, won going away, won at Fontwell 3m 4f hcp (3) gd in Nov beating Almazhar Garde (11-12) by 5 1/2l, 8 ran.
Seaston Spirit 16-1 (12-0) Led, mistake 4th, headed under 4 out and soon weakened, pulled up, at Ffos Las 3m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Eclair De Guye (FR) 5-1 (11-4) Soon behind, went left 8th, tailed off 4 out, pulled up after next, at Sandown 3m hcp (3) sft in Mar.
