chased leaders, keen early, pushed along after 3 out, outpaced and held in 3rd before last, kept on flat
chased leaders, went 2nd 3 out until before 2 out, soon beaten
held up in 5th, outpaced 4 out, well behind from next
held up in rear, pulled hard, headway 4 out, went 2nd before 2 out, held flat, kept on
led until 3rd, led next, ridden before last, stayed on, readily
chased winner, mistake 2nd, led next, mistake and headed 4th, mistake 3 out, soon weakened
At the 12th attempt, MAJOR SNUGFIT finally got his head in front over hurdles at Sedgefield 12 days ago. That should have done his confidence the world of good and he is getting 18lb, less Izzy Williams’ claim, from chaser Sabbathical, who won by 21 lengths off this mark over the larger obstacles at Fakenham last week. Gavin sprang a 33/1 surprise on his handicap debut at Uttoxeter but is 11lb higher now.
Sabbathical (FR) 2-1 (12-1) Close up in rear, headway to track leaders when blundered 4 out, led soon after 2 out, clear last, comfortable, won at Fakenham 2m hcp (5) gd in Nov beating Little Light (12-1) by 21l, 5 ran.
Phoebus Lescribaa (FR) 33-1 (11-9) Mid-division, headway on outside 4 out, challenged before 2 out, soon ridden and beaten, mistake last, hung left and weakened flat, 5th of 15, 11 3/4l behind Orchard Grove (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (5) gd in Oct.
Framley Garth (IRE) 80-1 (9-13) Held up, short of room after 2f and lost place, plenty to under 5f out, kept on steadily from under 2f out, no threat, 14th of 18, 20 1/4l behind Nikolayeva (10-12) at Leicester 1m 4f hcp (6) sft in Oct.
Gavin 33-1 (10-0) Held up at rear, made smooth headway before 3 out, ridden to lead after 2 out, kept on after last, won easily, won at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (5) gd in Nov beating Court Jurado (11-6) by 7l, 11 ran.
Major Snugfit 10-3fav (10-0) Close up, led 4 out, ridden 2 out, 4 lengths clear last, one paced run-in but always doing enough, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (5) gd in Nov beating Burnage Boy (10-11) by 2 1/2l, 10 ran.
George Mallory 300-1 (11-4) Not fluent 1st, soon in rear, never a factor, tailed off, 12th of 13, dist behind Peejaybee (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 1f mdn (4) gd in Nov.
