in rear, effort 3 out, never dangerous
held up mid-division, chased leaders 9th, weakened approaching last
chased leaders, weakened from 3 out
held up mid-division, chased leaders 3 out, hit next, ridden to lead approaching last, kept on well
held up in touch, hit 10th and outpaced, weakened from 3 out
held up, effort 3 out, soon weakened
chased leader, one pace from 2 out
held up towards rear, blundered 7th, soon detached
held up towards rear, reminders after 8th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
held up, pushed along after 3rd, not fluent 9th, kept on to go 3rd approaching last, no impression
led, headed approaching last, no extra
held up, weakened approaching 3 out
in touch, weakened 4 out
MINELLA THEATRE is given the vote to break his maiden tag with both The Hollinwell and Traffic Control worth noting. The selection caught the eye when finishing a decent second at Doncaster last time out. He was good enough to win a bumper over in Ireland on his debut but has taken time to mature since joining the Knight stable. With further improvement still to come and with AP McCoy booked to ride he is sure to be on many punters short list. The Hollinwell ran a personal best when second in a similar race at Doncaster last time out. Once again he looks like he is improving with experience so any market moves should be noted. Traffic Control won a point to point last year and was not discredited at Newbury last time out when finishing in mid division. With the stable hitting form of late he has each way claims, however for the winner we return to Minella Theatre.
Alfloramoor 18-1 (11-9) Mid-division, mistake 1st, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 10th of 18, well behind Well Disguised (10-11) at Doncaster 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft in Jan.
Fighting Chance (IRE) 12-1 (11-11) Held up behind, blundered 11th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Just Smudge (12-1) at Doncaster 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Jan, 15 ran.
Finbin (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, hampered and unseated rider 4 out in race won by Thetwincamdrift (11-0) at Doncaster 3m mdn hdl (4) gs in Jan, 14 ran.
Mansolias (FR) 20-1 (10-13) Always in rear, 10th of 16, 36l behind Qroktou (11-2) at Newbury 2m nhf (5) gs in Dec.
Minella Theatre (IRE) 11-2 (11-3) Raced keenly, close up, ridden after 3 out, went 2nd after 2 out, stayed on flat, always held, 2nd of 21, 3/4l behind Edgbriar (11-13) at Doncaster 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) sft in Jan.
Murphys Beau (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) In touch, reminders and lost place 7th, soon behind, last of 9, 40l behind The Randy Bishop (10-5) at Market Rasen 2m 2f nov chs (4) sft in Dec.
Patton (FR) 13-2 (11-6) Mid-division, headway approaching 6th, weakened after 3 out, pulled up before 2 out pulled up 2 out in race won by Vodka Brook (11-4) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Jan, 19 ran.
Quick Fix (IRE) (12-0) 2nd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Cute N'Smooth (12-0) at Taylorstown 3m ire ptp in Oct.
Sharadiyn 5-1 (10-13) Tracked leader, mistake and lost place 3 out, ridden and kept on same pace from enxt, no chance with leading pair, 3rd of 14, 18l behind Calcutta Cup (11-6) at Catterick 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
The Client (IRE) 40-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, weakened 4 out, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Saucy Bingo (11-9) at Newcastle 3m cnd nov hcp hdl (5) hvy in Apr, 14 ran.
The Hollinwell 14-1 (11-0) Held up behind, ridden approaching 3 out, ridden and outpaced approaching 2 out, stayed on to go 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 14, 3l behind Thetwincamdrift (11-0) at Doncaster 3m mdn hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Traffic Control (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, led 6th, ridden and headed 2 out, weakened, 6th of 16, 28l behind Mad Max (11-5) at Newbury 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Work Boy 100-1 (11-1) Mid-division, outpaced when hampered 3 out, soon weakened, 11th of 16, well behind Steady Tiger (11-4) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Ethel Briggs 100-1 (10-5) Towards rear, outpaced 4 out, never dangerous, 7th of 14, well behind What A Buzz (11-5) at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
