chased leader until 3 out, soon ridden, weakened 2 out
held up, closed from 4 out, went 2nd going well after 3 out, led flat, ran on
in touch, raced keenly, close up when mistake 3 out, weakened 2 out
chased leaders, pushed along after 3 out, switched left after last, kept on to take 2nd near finish
held up in rear, ridden and well beaten after 3 out
led, pulled hard, clear 3rd, mistake 5th, reduced advantage after 4 out, headed flat, no extra near finish
always in rear, ridden and well beaten 3 out
Millards Lad has been given a chance by the handicapper on only his third start since joining Nigel Twiston-Davies and has to be respected but he needs to improve on recent form to trouble the judge and a better bet looks to be MISS PROSS, who gets the vote ahead of Devil's Creek. The last mentioned has run better in his last two starts but he is not certain to appreciate the drop back in trip today and may be best watched. Safari Adventures can race off the same mark as when a close second to One Of The Boys at Plumpton recently and Peter Winkworth's gelding has solid claims on that evidence. Henry Daly's Thievery has not progressed as may have been anticipated following wins at Warwick and Hereford in November and the grey may just be a shade high in the weights. Tim Walford's Blast The Past has run creditably in his last two starts but looks the clear second best of the two runners from Walford's yard with stable companion Miss Pross looking the one they all have to beat. The mare has been running consistently well of late and, over a trip that suits, she looks the one to beat.
Millards Lad (IRE) 11-2 (11-11) Left chasing winner 2nd, mistake next, lost second 5th, ridden and weakened after 2 out, 4th of 5, well behind Pairc Na Gcapall (10-6) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Mar.
Miss Pross 10-1 (11-0) Towards rear, chased leaders from 3 out, ridden and hampered last, no impression flat, 4th of 8, 15l behind Professor Higgins (10-8) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd.
Blast The Past 11-1 (11-7) Chased leader, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace, 6th of 14, 14l behind Fujin Dancer (10-4) at Southwell 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Mar.
Ammunition (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Mid-division, weakened 3 out, 8th of 14, 32l behind Heir To Be (11-11) at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Mar.
Devil's Creek (IRE) 7-4fav (11-12) Held up behind leaders, headway 11th, went 2nd next, no impression on winner 4 out, hard ridden approaching 2 out, weakened flat, 4th of 5, 15l behind Nelson (11-5) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Mar.
Safari Adventures (IRE) 15-2 (11-9) Mostly jumped well, led, about 1 length ahead and looked likely winner when blundered last, soon headed and no chance to recover, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind One of The Boys (10-4) at Plumpton 2m 1f 5yo nov hcp (4) gd.
Nesotho (FR) 33-1 (11-7) Led, blundered 1st and headed, hampered after 3rd, weakened next, tailed off 5th, 16th of 18, well behind Lepido (11-2) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gf.
Beehawk 10-1 (10-6) Held up, hit 3rd, blundered, fell 5th, in a race won by Porters War (11-11) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd, 6 ran.
Thievery 7-1 (11-6) Held up, ridden 4 out, never dangerous, 8th of 12, 43l behind Bamby (10-13) at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-100 (4) hvy in Mar.
