tracked leader, led after 3 out, soon headed, rallied when every chance last, no extra flat
chased leaders, led approaching 2 out, ridden last, ran on strongly
led until after 3 out, soon lost place
held up in rear, headway 4 out, soon chasing leaders, hampered last, kept on same pace
held up in rear, headway to chase leaders 4 out, effort when jumped left last, kept on under pressure
chased leaders, not fluent 3 out, weakened before next
Nonrunner
Big Sound looks vulnerable at this level while Mister Philson, sent off favourite at Hexham last time, doesn't look an easy ride but is still unexposed under Rules and is back on the same mark as when second over fences at Carlisle last year. Quel Elite went close at Kelso last month and it would be no surprise if American Life reversed Haydock running with Moscow Presents over this longer trip, despite the pair re-opposing on similar terms. Fakenham form can be misleading but THE YOUNG MASTER won very easily at the Norfolk track on New Year's Day. That was his third success in four starts over hurdles and on the Flat and Neil Mulholland's improver can find the necessary to defy his penalty here.
Moscow Presents (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Always prominent, led after 4 out, ridden 5 lengths clear flat, held on near finish, won at Haydock 3m cond hcp hdl 0-1115 (4) sft in Dec beating American Life (10-8) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
The Young Master 11-4fav (11-2) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, soon clear, ran on strongly, won at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy beating Mistral Reine (11-9) by 34l, 6 ran.
Mister Philson (IRE) 9-2fav (11-7) Led, pushed along halfway, reminders before 3 out, headed before 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 10, 37l behind Sun Cloud (11-10) at Hexham 2m 7f hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft in Dec.
Quel Elite (FR) 9-2 (11-4) Held up in rear, mistake 2nd, ridden 5th, headway approaching last (normal 3 out), went 2nd 2f out, every chance inside final furlong, held towards finish, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Mr Utah (11-7) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.
American Life (FR) 13-2 (10-8) Held up in rear, mistake 4th, headway after 4 out, went 3rd 3 out, stayed on to take 2nd flat, closing on winner towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind Moscow Presents (11-9) at Haydock 3m cond hcp hdl 0-1115 (4) sft in Dec.
Big Sound 6-1 (11-9) Took keen hold tracking leaders, left 2nd at 4th, pushed along before lost 2nd 3 out, weakened before next, pulled up before last, in a race won by Gulf Punch (11-9) at Carlisle 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec, 9 ran.
Micro Mission (IRE) 7-1 (10-2) In touch in 4th, weakened 4 out, tailed off, last of 6, 46l behind Talkin Sence (10-1) at Kelso 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs in Nov.
