held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders before 3 out, led briefly and blundered 2 out, one pace after
led to 3 out, ridden before 2 out, one pace
tracked leaders, weakened from 3 out
with leaders, led 3 out, headed briefly 2 out, ridden last and soon headed, kept on same pace
held up mid-division, headway before 2 out, weakened before last
held up towards rear, headway before 2 out, plugged on and never dangerous
held up mid-division, took keen hold, pushed along 4 out, soon weakened and pulled up
held up behind, headway before 2 out, soon weakened
mid-division, weakened before 2 out
in rear, headway before 2 out, led before last, kept on well
PULL THE CHORD is 15lb higher than when landing this 12 months ago but improved again to beat two subsequent winners on his reappearance at Exeter in November and a follow-up may be on the cards. The Brock Again hasn't raced since third when favourite for a Listed hurdle at Haydock in November 2014 but is unlikely to fail through lack of fitness and it's only a matter of time before he gets his head in front. Adelar has an even longer absence to overcome while Ascendant, Tornado In Milan and Norse Legend are all looking a little high in the weights at present. But Winning Spark would have gone close at Exeter last time had he stood up and has been placed at worst in four previous visits to the track.
Pull The Chord (IRE) 15-8fav (11-12) Held up on outside, closed 2nd, went 2nd 4th, challenged 3 out, led next, driven out, won at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in Nov beating Sirop De Menthe (10-10) by 4 1/2l, 6 ran.
Ascendant 25-1 (11-10) Prominent, ridden 3 out, soon lost place, 12th of 14, 36l behind Solstice Star (10-4) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Tornado In Milan (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Took keen hold, tracked leader until mistake 7th, mistake next, one pace from 4 out, no impression in 3rd from 2 out, 3rd of 9, 19l behind Jayo Time (11-3) at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Norse Legend 12-1 (11-3) Took keen hold, tracked leader, mistake 6th, ridden and lost 2nd before 2 out, hit 2 out, weakened into 4th between last two, hit last, went modest 3rd in closing stages, 3rd of 6, 14 1/4l behind Gevrey Chambertin (11-12) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
The Brock Again Evensfav (11-0) Led and keen, headed before and mistake 3 out, lost 2nd before last, soon left poor 2nd, kept on and lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 6, 5 1/4l behind Thorpe (11-0) at Haydock 2m lst (1) sft in Nov.
Here's Herbie 7-2 (11-2) Held up behind when fell 1st, at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Adelar (GER) 7-2 (11-2) Prominent, mistake 6th, challenged 2 out, soon led, stayed on well, won at Bangor 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Aug beating Scoglio (11-1) by 2 3/4l, 6 ran.
My Brother Sylvest 12-1 (11-6) Led, headed 5 out, weakened next, 5th of 7, dist behind Sir Valentino (11-12) at Ludlow 2m hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Lord Adare (IRE) 66-1 (11-2) Took keen hold, soon tracked leaders, led before 3rd, headed 5th, led again next, headed before 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before last, at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Winning Spark (USA) 9-2 (11-12) In rear, headway after 4 out, in 3rd and going well when fell 3 out, at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
