made most until 6th, soon weakened, tailed off
always prominent, joined winner 6th, every chance 2 out, no impression last
mid-division, headway 3rd, ridden approaching 5th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, headway approaching 6th, ridden approaching 2 out, outpaced approaching last, stayed on flat
held up in touch, pushed along approaching 5th, ridden and weakened before next, tailed off
always prominent, led 6th, blundered last, stayed on under pressure flat
held up towards rear, headway after 6th, soon ridden, weakened flat
with leader, mistake 4th, weakened after 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
held up, headway approaching 6th, weakened before 2 out
driven along after 4th, always behind, pulled up before 5th
held up, headway approaching 6th, soon weakened
held up in touch, effort after 5th, weakened after 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Nonrunner
Obaki De Grissay doesn't appear to be a horse to trust implicitly however he gets the vote here, with Beyondtherealm and Darkshape the best of the remainder. The selection has finished a runner-up on his last two starts, however those performances have shown that he handles the extreme conditions again seen today and he looks a solid bet. His yard is in decent form at present and his mark for this his handicap debut doesn't appear too severe. Old-timer Milligan would carry these on old form, however he is now winless in 27 attempts so must be passed over despite dropping in class. Darkshape went down fighting last time out and must be booked for place money at least, whilst Speed Venture is only 2lbs above his highest winning mark so must be respected. Victor Dartnall's Young Dancer performed admirably last month when returning from a lengthy absence, so he should be fitter today and go close. However we will stick with Henry Daly's Obaki De Grissay to continue his stable's good from with a due win today.
Milligan (FR) 200-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, weakened after 3 out, 7th of 8, 40l behind Afsoun (11-8) at Haydock 2m hdl Grd 2 (1) hvy.
Obaki de Grissay (FR) 4-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance when hit 3 out, not quicken run-in, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Aitch Doubleyou (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
City of Manchester (IRE) 5-2 (11-3) Always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Zimbabwe (10-12) at Leicester 2m sll hdl (4) sft in Dec, 15 ran.
Pardon What 20-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway 5th, weakened straight, 5th of 17, 20l behind Schuh Shine (11-2) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy.
Speed Venture 9-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner after 3 out, no impression, 2nd of 8, 10l behind Smoothly Does It (10-0) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.
Young Dancer (IRE) 11-1 (10-6) Pulled hard, held up towards rear, headway after 4th, ridden, hampered 3 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 11, 22l behind Master Mahogany (11-2) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Dec.
Beyondtherealm 11-2 (11-3) Close up, chased winner after 3 out, kept on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 19l behind Letitia's Loss (11-3) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Dec.
Hi Laurie (IRE) 20-1 (10-2) Held up, weakened 4 out, tailed off, 6th of 11, well behind Negus de Beaumont (11-12) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Dec.
Darkshape 9-4fav (10-5) Held up, headway 6th, every chance 3 out, ridden, ran on flat, 3rd of 16, 3/4l behind Tora Petcha (11-2) at Ludlow 2m hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.
Woodford Consult 8-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, led approaching 3rd, ridden headed 3 out, soon beaten, 5th of 14, 25l behind Storymaker (10-0) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft.
Rude Health 20-1 (10-12) Held up when unseated rider at the 5th in race won by Nemetan (11-3) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Dec, 11 ran.
Celtic Empire (IRE) 14-1 (10-5) Held up, chased leaders 7th, outpaced 4 out, beaten when blundered 2 out, 8th of 12, 35l behind Dancer's Serenade (11-4) at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hdl (3) sft.
Dickie Lewis 8-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened approaching next, 5th of 11, 32l behind Negus de Beaumont (11-12) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Dec.
