chased leaders, closed 11th, went 2nd after 4 out until 3 out, weakened next
made all, clear 2 out, stayed on well, comfortably
held up towards rear, weakened 11th
prominent, ridden before 4 out, weakened approaching next, soon pulled up
prominent, outpaced 11th, rallied to chase winner 3 out, no impression next, stayed on same pace
tracked leaders, jumped right at times, slow 2nd, ridden 4 out, weakened next
in rear, not always fluent, behind from 11th
held up, struggling 11th, well beaten 4 out
The in-form BLAKERIGG can hold off the other previous winner Truckers Highway and complete the hat-trick. Nicky Richards’ seven-year-old has rewarded market support twice since wind surgery and looks much improved. Maguire's Glen should be approaching peak fitness and could run into a place but Aengus, Reckless Behavior and Super Sid are best watched at present. Shrewd Tactics was a bit unlucky at Hereford last month and is probably on a fair mark at present.
Blakerigg (IRE) 15-8fav (10-13) Held up in touch, mistake 10th, headway on outside 14th, went 2nd and poised to challenge 3 out, led next, shaken up and drew readily clear between last 2, in no danger after, won at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Dec beating Orioninverness (11-1) by 11l, 9 ran.
Truckers Highway (IRE) 10-3 (11-5) Tracked leader until jumped left 4th, 2nd again 6th, led after 10th, jumped left 2 out, hard pressed when jumped left and mistake last, stayed on well, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Nov beating Boy In A Bentley (11-2) by 2 3/4l, 5 ran.
Aengus (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, lost place 6th, reminders before 8th, behind from next, tailed off when pulled up after 10th, at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Super Sid (IRE) 11-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway 5 out, went 2nd from 4 out, weakened before 3 out, 6th of 7, dist behind Destrier (11-10) at Southwell 2m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Reckless Behavior (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Whipped round start and very slowly away, tailed off until pulled up after 7th, at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Maguire's Glen (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Held up in mid-division, progress 4th, mistake 5 out, weakened 4 out, 6th of 13, 25 1/4l behind Bennys King (11-12) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Againn Dul Aghaidh 25-1 (12-2) Jumped left and not fluent in rear, hampered 2nd, closed after 4 out, weakened after next, 6th of 10, dist behind Copperfacejack (11-6) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Shrewd Tactics (IRE) 4-1fav (11-12) Held up in rear, stumbled and unseated rider bend after 6th, at Hereford 2m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
