with leader, led after 5th, headed next, led 8th until 3 out, no extra from last
tracked leaders, not fluent 1st or 4th, hit 6th, mistake 3 out, effort when not fluent 2 out, rider had issue with right iron briefly, led last, stayed on well, clear towards finish
led until after 5th, led 6th until 8th, pushed along to lead 3 out, blundered 2 out, headed last, no impression towards finish
Nonrunner
Whispering Harry has won three of his four starts since finishing tailed off behind Crookstown at Uttoxeter in October. It's likely to be a lot closer between the pair today, though they meet on similar terms. SWALEDALE LAD was only beaten half-a-length by Ifandbutwhynot in a better race than this at Musselburgh last time. He's got another 5lb to carry but might be up to the task with regular pilot Harry Challoner claiming 3lb. Formal Bid has yet to show much since joining Barry Brennan but isn't badly treated on his best form.
Swaledale Lad (IRE) 4-1 (10-13) Tracked leader, led from 5th, blundered 2 out, soon pressed, headed run-in, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1/2l behind Ifandbutwhynot (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd.
Crookstown (IRE) 4-1 (11-3) Held up in close 5th, headway approaching 8th, chased leaders 4 out, 2nd soon after, challenged from 3 out, led narrowly before last, jumped slowly and headed last, kept on under pressure run-in, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Gores Island (11-5) at Wincanton 2m nov ltd hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Jan.
Whispering Harry 11-4fav (10-9) Made most, hard pressed from 3 out, ridden and kept on under pressure flat, just held on near finish, won at Taunton 2m nov ltd hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Jan beating Crafty Roberto (10-3) by nk, 7 ran.
Formal Bid (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Always 4th and last, struggling 5th, tailed off when mistake and unseated rider 7th, in a race won by Three Kingdoms (11-4) at Doncaster 2m nov chs G2 (1) gs in Jan, 4 ran.
