held up in touch, headway to chase leaders 4 out, mistake next, weakened before last
chased leaders, mistake 3rd, soon lost place, beaten 3 out, tailed off
tracked leader, led before 4 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on strongly
led until approaching 4 out, rallied next, weakened 2 out, mistake last
held up, headway to chase leaders 3rd, pushed along 3 out, 2nd before next, kept on same pace
held up in rear, outpaced before 3 out, stayed on into modest 3rd closing stages, never athreat
held up in touch, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, never able to challenge
Mance Rayder runs the occasional good race but is too inconsistent to recommend, though the better ground may help. Ilewin Geez couldn’t cope with the step into handicap company at Worcester last month but has won twice this year, though is giving a stone to his rivals. That should open the door for INFORMATEUR, who was only beaten half-a-length by a useful novice at Hexham last month. He’s yet to race on going this quick but is hard to oppose if coping. Toi Storey was fourth in a bumper here on his racecourse debut but is best watched today.
Ilewin Geez 20-1 (11-7) Held up rear of mid-division, shaken up 3 out, never threatened, mistake last, weakened flat, 7th of 13, 20 3/4l behind Monty's Award (10-10) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Cross Of Steel (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, jumped slowly 2nd and 4th, weakened 3 out, last of 7, 29 1/4l behind Normal Norman (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 1f mdn (4) gd in Oct.
Informateur (FR) 6-1 (10-12) In touch, progress to chase leaders 3 out, every chance 2 out and throughout closing stages, kept on well under pressure, 2nd of 13, 1/2l behind Simply The Betts (11-4) at Hexham 2m (4) sft in Oct.
Mah Mate Bob (IRE) 200-1 (10-12) Chased leader until before 5th, soon lost place, last and struggling after 4 out, tailed off, 9th of 11, dist behind Fin And Game (10-12) at Wetherby 2m (4) sft in Nov.
Mance Rayder (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) Held up in touch, lost place 4th, not fluent next, headway when mistake 7th, mistake 4 out, soon ridden, hanging left after 4 out, 4th and weakening when pulled up before 2 out, at Worcester 2m 7f (4) sft in May.
Toi Storey (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, under pressure over 6f out, weakened over 3f out, 4th of 8, 10l behind Honourary Gift (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f (5) gd in Oct.
Alice Lisle 66-1 (10-9) Towards rear, effort from 4 out, never dangerous, tailed off and pulled up after last, at Sedgefield 2m 1f (4) sft in Mar.
