tracked leader early stages, chased leader after 5th, pressed leader before 2 out, every chance 2 out, soon ridden and no extra after the last
always towards rear, never involved and pulled up before the last
led, ridden and headed before 2 out, soon weakened and no extra
always towards rear, never involved and pulled up before the last
tracked leader early stages, further behind in mid-division after the 5th, closer 5 out, pressed leader before 2 out, led narrowly 2 out, soon ridden and clear last, eased down run-in
tracked leaders early stages, not fluent 2nd, further back in mid-division after the 5th, niggled along and closer 5 out, ridden after 2 out, error last and held in third run-in
NonRunner
Kilbrew Boy has only been raised 4lb for winning at Wincanton and has decent claims again if handling this more testing surface. But DIAMOND BRIG had more in hand than the official winning margin suggested over track and trip last month and is taken to complete the double. Duhallow Lad was more like his old self at Bangor and is another to consider but Destin D'Ajonc is proving hard to place. Truckers Highway looks the pick of the remainder.
Destin D'Ajonc (FR) 10-3 (11-9) Midfield, headway 11th, ridden after 4 out, chased leader 2 out, one pace flat, 5th of 10, 2 3/4l behind Ard Chros (11-7) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Kilbrew Boy (IRE) 6-5fav (11-11) Chased leaders, led before 10th, headed briefly approaching 2 out, soon in front again, ridden and stayed on well from last, won at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Dec beating Magic River (11-3) by 1l, 9 ran.
Master Vintage 33-1 (11-10) Close up, led 2nd, slow jump 10th, ridden and headed after 4 out, weakened before 3 out, 8th of 11, dist behind Native Robin (11-8) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Hills Of Dubai (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Prominent, led before 3rd, joined halfway, error and pushed along 4 out, headed before 3 out, weakened quickly, 4th of 6, 29l behind Took The Lot (11-5) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 4f (4) sft in Nov.
Duhallow Lad (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Towards rear, smooth progress after 3 out to track leader, awkward 2 out and soon ridden, stayed on without threatening winner, 2nd of 8, 6l behind Est Illic (11-1) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Truckers Highway (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Midfield, mistake 5th, slow 6th, nudged after 4 out, ridden after 3 out and plugging away, kept on one pace, 4th of 8, 24l behind Est Illic (11-1) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Diamond Brig 10-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, not fluent 1st, mid-division after 3rd, closed when not fluent 10th, led before last, stayed on well, won at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Nov beating Absolutely Dylan (11-2) by 2 1/4l, 12 ran.
