tracked winner, ridden and well held before last, lost 2nd place post
mid-division, weakened before 2 out
held up towards rear, tailed off from 3 out
held up mid-division, weakened from 3 out
mid-division, one pace from 2 out
towards rear, headway from 3 out, no impression
held up mid-division, one pace from 2 out
tracked leaders in 3rd place, ridden before last, kept on to take 2nd place post, no chance with winner
made all, clear and not fluent last, readily
held up mid-division, weakened from 3 out, tailed off
held up towards rear, weakened after 3 out
behind, weakened from 3 out
held up in touch, weakened from 3 out
Richard Johnson only had one booked ride at the declaration stage, OAKLEY, who showed potential in bumpers but made too many mistakes on his hurdling bow in heavy ground at Sandown. The champion jockey keeps faith with him and wouldn't be coming here without good reason. Rouge Vif is an obvious danger having won a Ludlow bumper on soft ground and only just failing to overcome mistakes over timber at Hereford last month. It will be a surprise if he's not in contention while Go As You Please made an eye-catching debut in a bumper at Bangor in April and is one to note in the market. Winning point-to-pointer Bold Plan was going on strongly at the finish on his hurdling debut at Newbury, when Northofthewall was a long way behind, and is another to keep an eye on.
Bold Plan (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) In touch until stumbled badly 1st, mid-division, headway before 2 out, kept on well run-in, went 3rd final 75 yards, 3rd of 16, 2 1/2l behind Ecu De La Noverie (10-12) at Newbury 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Dorking Cock (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Pressed leader, lost place 4 out, weakened after next, last of 7, dist behind Stoney Mountain (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4f mdn (4) gd in Oct.
Eolian 22-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, well beaten 4 out, 11th of 14, dist behind Fort Jefferson (11-2) at Bangor 2m 1f mdn (5) gd in May.
Go As You Please (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Held up, outpaced over 4f out, headway over 1f out, stayed on well inside final furlong, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Norman Stanley (11-4) at Bangor 2m 1f (5) gs in Apr.
Incus 10-1 (9-10) Led and set steady pace, headed over 2f out, lost 2nd 2f out, chased leaders, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 8th of 10, 11 1/2l behind Lumen (8-5) at Lingfield 2m hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Lunar Jet 13-2 (11-8) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, jumped right 2nd, slow 4th, pressing leaders 2 out, not fluent last, weakened flat, 5th of 10, 6 1/2l behind Cervaro Mix (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m mdn (4) gd in Nov.
Northofthewall (IRE) 150-1 (10-12) Never nearer than mid-division, weakened before 2 out, 11th of 16, 25 1/4l behind Ecu De La Noverie (10-12) at Newbury 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Oakley (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Mid-division, awkward 1st, 2nd and 4th, headway after 3 out, weakened before last, 5th of 14, 18l behind Eldorado Allen (11-0) at Sandown 2m mdn (4) hvy in Nov.
Rouge Vif (FR) 9-2 (10-12) Led, jumped left and not fluent 3 out, not fluent 2 out, headed, bumped and carried left before last, switched right and held flat, kept on, 2nd of 10, 1 3/4l behind Newtown Boy (10-12) at Hereford 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Golden Etoile (FR) (10-7) at Cagnes-sur-Mer 2m 1f in Dec.
Gold Runner (IRE) 50-1 (10-10) Mid-division, slow 6th, soon well behind, 7th of 11, dist behind Indefatigable (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Quasha 33-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, led after 2nd, headed 4th, fell 6th, at Southwell 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Sally Can't Wait 33-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, some headway 3 out, never a threat, 7th of 15, 20 1/2l behind Diamond Gait (11-4) at Ludlow 2m mdn (4) gd in Nov.
Clondaw Storm (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) In touch, weakened over 4f out, tailed off, 9th of 11, dist behind I K Brunel (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 1f (5) sft in Nov.
