led to 6th, losing place when hampered on bend after 9th, last when jumped slowly 10th, mistake 14th, stayed on one pace from approaching 2 out
held up behind leaders, close up 13th, not fluent next and soon ridden, chased winner and hung right after 2 out, no impression when mistake last
chased leaders, led 9th, headed 12th, remained close up, led before 2 out, clear well before last, stayed on well
held up, headway 5th, led 12th, going well 3 out, ridden and headed before 2 out, found little, left 3rd last
jumped slowly on several occasions, held up, headway after 6th, ridden after 14th, 8 lengths 3rd and beaten when fell last
held up, headway 11th, struggling after 4 out, mistake 3 out, behind when hampered last
chased leader, led 6th to 9th, ridden 12th, soon lost place, behind from 14th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Not an easy race to fathom despite the lack of numbers and Fight The Feeling is narrowly preferred to Aston and Metal Detector. The selection is perfectly exposed as far as handicapping is concerned but with James Unett's team in good order at the moment, the 10-year-old could be worth a speculative punt at the likely odds. Punters should not be fooled by Metal Detector's letters as he does have plenty of ability. Chopneyev got away from him at Hereford but if arriving at the track in top form, Kim Bailey's charge has to be a factor. Aston has won on fast ground in Ireland so cannot be discounted with any confidence, especially since Richard Guest's yard appears to have turned the corner. Tastes Like More shaped well on chasing debut at Newcastle and could be anything. Magic Of Sydney returns from absence whilst Tipp Topp did have winning form at this esoteric circuit and is certainly well handicapped if returning to anything like his form of 12 months ago. Glen Thyne and Forest Dante may have appreciated a little more cut in the ground. Fight The Feeling is fully exposed as a betting medium but has to have solid claims in a trappy affair.
Magic of Sydney (IRE) 3-1jt-fav (11-4) Led 2nd to 5th, weakened after 10th, soon tailed off, 5th of 7, 36l behind Jimmy Tennis (11-12) at Folkestone 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
Aston (USA) 40-1 (10-8) Raced wide, held up, headway 5th, led 7th to 10th, weakened after 3 out, 7th of 8, 30l behind Negus de Beaumont (10-5) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Metal Detector (IRE) 7-1 (11-2) Chased winner from 7th, not fluent 12th, no impression on clear winner from 5 out, 2nd of 10, 27l behind Chopneyev (10-8) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.
Glen Thyne (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Held up, headway to track winner 9th, weakened run-in, 2nd of 8, 5l behind Ballyaahbutt (10-6) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Mar.
Tastes Like More (IRE) 11-2 (10-5) In touch,headway 9th, mistake next, not fluent and outpaced 13th, rallied 3 out, ridden and kept on, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Trisons Star (11-10) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Mar.
Fight The Feeling 17-2 (11-1) Prominent until fell at the 8th in race won by Bronson F'sure (11-3) at Southwell 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in Mar, 12 ran.
Tipp Top (IRE) 25-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, headway 10th, ridden after 4 out, one pace when mistake 3 out, 6th of 12, 18l behind Bronson F'sure (11-3) at Southwell 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in Mar.
Forest Dante (IRE) 22-1 (11-11) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Bronson F'sure (11-3) at Southwell 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in Mar, 12 ran.
