towards rear, ridden after 3 out, weakened before 2 out
in rear, headway before 2 out, every chance last, no extra run-in
chased leader, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened
in touch, headway before 2 out, soon led, headed last, kept on and well held
led, mistake 3 out, headed before next, soon weakened
tracked leaders, lost place after 3 out, tailed off, pulled up before last
mid-division, headway before 4 out, led last, kept on well
Earlshill won a point-to-point last May and ran well on his reappearance on this track before disappointing over much further at Chepstow. It will be a surprise if he's not in the action though ROYAL VILLAGE (NAP) should have his measure. Philip Hobbs' charge won a bumper here in November and though not finding much at the business end on his hurdling debut at Leicester should get a stiffer test of stamina here and can gain his first success over timber. Cruiseaweigh looked one to follow when landing an Aintree bumper but has been very disappointing so far over timber having been strongly supported at Sandown and Newbury. Cona River has been well beaten at big prices on both starts to date.
Cona River (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Tracked leader until 8th, 4th and outpaced 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 11, 26 1/2l behind Finian's Oscar (10-12) at Hereford 2m 6f (4) sft in Dec.
Cruiseaweigh (IRE) 5-2jfav (11-0) Held up in mid-division, ridden after 3 out, hung left and weakened before next, soon eased, never involved, 7th of 17, dist behind High Bridge (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn (4) gs in Dec.
Earlshill (IRE) 9-4fav (11-6) Chased leaders, mistake 6th, weakened after next, tailed off and pulled up pulled up before 3 out, at Chepstow 3m mdn (4) sft in Jan.
Royal Village (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) In rear, headway 5 out, ridden before 2 out, went 3rd from last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 13, 6 3/4l behind Head To The Stars (10-12) at Leicester 2m 4f (4) gs in Dec.
Windy Writer (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Always towards rear, some headway into mid-division 5th, went left and weakened next, plugged on, never involved, 6th of 14, dist behind Buckle Street (10-7) at Southwell 2m (4) gs in Feb.
Midnight Bliss 25-1 (10-9) Prominent, lost 2nd before 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out, at Towcester 2m (4) sft in Feb.
River Arrow 11-1 (11-0) Raced keenly, held up in rear, pulled up before 6th, at Warwick 2m 5f (4) sft in Jan.
Murphy's Nails 12-1 (11-3) Held up towards rear, pushed along halfway, soon in rear and struggling, last of 8, dist behind Runasimi River (10-0) at Hereford 2m (4) hvy in Feb.
Potters Grenadier 33-1 (11-0) Towards rear, struggling 7f out, tailed off, last of 17, dist behind Marten (11-0) at Warwick 2m (6) sft in Dec.
