held up, struggling 5 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, blundered and dropped rear 4th, no danger after, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up, headway on outside 9th, ridden to lead between last 2, kept on
in rear, fell 1st
tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced 3 out, weakened next
in touch, ridden 8th, outpaced 3 out, weakened from next
led to 5th, tracked leader, led again after 3 out, ridden and headed between last 2, no extra
mid-division, effort to chase leading pair 2 out, kept on same pace no impression
with leader, led 5th, headed after 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
Nonrunner
MISCHIEF MAN has been knocking at the door recently, and with his stable in fine form after the freeze, he can score at the main expense of Kinkeel and Desperate Dex. The last named was only quietly fancied when scoring last time, although he may have been a fortunate scorer, with the leader falling at the last. He took advantage of a lowly handicap mark that day, is much higher here, and the fact that he has been pulled up on five of his last seven starts does not suggest consistency. Kinkeel put some modest runs behind him when winning at Southwell, before being outclassed at Ascot on Saturday. Carrying a penalty here, he still looks a little vulnerable and is taken on. Mischief Man has only run twice in the last year, but he shaped well on both his starts this season, only run out of it over this course and distance last time on the Flat. Mischief Man can continue the good form of his trainer and get an overdue success.
Anglicisme (FR) 20-1 (11-12) Mid-division, weakening when not fluent 10th, tailed off before 4 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Shaking Hands (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Nov, 10 ran.
Mischief Man 6-1 (10-10) Chased leaders, every chance last, no extra flat, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Braddock Island (11-6) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Nov.
Desperate Dex (IRE) 10-1 (10-0) In rear, headway after 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, 4 lengths down but closing when left well clear last, won at Huntingdon 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec beating Devils River (10-8) by 23l, 11 ran.
One Black Cat 25-1 (11-9) Mid-division, weakened 4 out, 13th of 16, well behind Dunbrody House (11-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gf in Oct.
Whatcanyasay 40-1 (11-5) Behind, hampered 3rd, ridden 6th, never dangerous, 10th of 14, 41l behind Kinkeel (10-3) at Southwell 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs.
Kinkeel (IRE) 200-1 (11-7) In rear, struggling 6th, soon tailed off, last of 7, well behind Twist Magic (11-7) at Ascot 2m 1f Grade 1 chs (1) sft.
Lerida 20-1 (9-10) Held up towards rear, weakened 8th, 8th of 17, 28l behind Amir Pasha (11-3) at Catterick 2m 3f am hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Dec.
Troodos Jet 14-1 (10-6) Mid-division, hampered 3rd, headway 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, no impression flat, 2nd of 14, 10l behind Kinkeel (10-3) at Southwell 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs.
Fencote Mystery 11-1 (10-1) Chased leaders, hit 4th, lost place before 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 14, 33l behind Kinkeel (10-3) at Southwell 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) gs.
Littleton Aldor (IRE) 20-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders, raced keenly, ridden when jumped slowly 7th, soon lost place, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Canni Thinkaar (10-0) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Nov, 14 ran.
