chased leaders, mistake 9th, weakened 5 out, behind when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, under pressure after 9th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before 2 out
led, drew clear after 3 out, headed just after last, kept on same pace closing stages
always behind, detached 7th, pulled up before 10th
tracked leaders, hard driven after 3 out, stayed on to challenge approaching last, led soon after, ran on well
tracked leader, pushed along 12th, weakened 3 out
always behind, struggling 10th, soon beaten, pulled up before last
mid-division, headway 11th, outpaced 4 out, stayed on approaching last, never on terms
held up in rear, headway under pressure 4 out, stayed on approaching 2 out, never able to challenge
Nonrunner
Thedrinkymeister was pulled up on his reappearance at Hexham but his yard is in better form now. Edmund tends to be a spring horse but Attimo won over track and trip on Boxing Day, though was tailed off on his only subsequent start at Market Rasen. Premier Grand Cru may be running into form after a lengthy absence but WOLF SWORD certainly wasn’t winning out of turn at Uttoxeter last time and that victory may have given him the confidence to defy a 5lb rise in the weights.
Edmund (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, ridden before 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out, at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Thedrinkymeister (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) Held up mid-division, pushed along 7th, soon lost place, pulled up before 6 out, at Hexham 2m 6f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Wolf Sword (IRE) 6-4fav (11-11) Made all, kept on gamely from last, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Ray Diamond (11-3) by 1 1/2l, 7 ran.
Notnowsam 25-1 (10-7) Held up, not fluent 1st, behind 8th, 7th of 8, dist behind Hollywoodien (11-9) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Dr Robin (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Prominent, led 4th until 6th, chased leaders, weakened quickly, behind when pulled up before 10th, at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Attimo (GER) 11-4 (11-8) Tracked leader, effort 4 out, weakened next, modest 4th, 4th of 6, dist behind Highbury High (11-1) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
San Pietro (FR) 14-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, jumped slowly and lost place 4th, reminder next, well behind 13th, pulled up before 4 out, at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Premier Grand Cru (FR) 6-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, went 3rd 2 out, ridden before last, one pace, 3rd of 8, 13 1/4l behind Gold Opera (11-7) at Ayr 2m 2f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Verko (FR) 25-1 (10-12) In rear, tailed off from 6 out, 7th of 8, 16 1/4l behind Rowdy Rocher (11-10) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Hawkhurst (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Held up, in rear, struggling 5 out, soon lost touch, left moderate 4th from 2 out, tailed off, 4th of 6, 34l behind Premier Bond (11-0) at Catterick 3m 1f (4) gs in Jan.
