held up in rear, not fluent 6th, reminder before 7th, some headway before 10th where not fluent and hampered by faller, stayed on past tiring rivals before 2 out, kept on same pace approaching last
prominent, not fluent 8th, briefly ridden before 11th, pushed along and headway before 4 out, chased clear leader 3 out, disputed lead 2 out, led outright approaching last where jumped left, kept on but headed on the post
took keen hold, led, bad mistake 5th, headed 6th and chased leader, briefly led before 10th, pushed along to chase leader before 4 out, soon struggling and weakened 3 out, no chance when fell last
in touch in midfield, ridden before 9th, some headway before 4 out where not fluent, weakened before 2 out
midfield, dropped to rear 6th, ridden before 9th, pulled up before 4 out
held up in rear, headway into midfield before 4th, not fluent 8th, mistake 9th, headway to chase leaders 11th when not fluent, 2 lengths down when mistake 4 out, soon pushed along, weakened before 2 out
held up in rear, not fluent 9th, soon pushed along, slightly hampered by faller 10th, tailed off before 4 out
prominent, briefly pressed leader before 10th, pushed along to chase leader before 4 out, 2 lengths down 3 out where bad mistake, weakened approaching last
held up in rear, dropped to last before 8th, unseated rider home straight
chased leader, led 6th, briefly headed before 10th, 1 length ahead 4 out, ridden before 3 out where not fluent, disputed lead 2 out, headed approaching last, stayed on well to lead at the post
prominent, jockey briefly lost iron before 7th, still travelling well when unseated rider 10th
always in rear, driven before 11th, pulled up before 4 out
Pointing scorer GOLD EMERY landed a Carlisle maiden hurdle on debut for Donald McCain and was immediately plunged into a decent Class 3 handicap when running an excellent third to Lock's Corner at Ayr against far more battle-hardened rivals. He's only been nudged up 1lb for the run and Theo Gillard's claim more than offsets the rise. It's fascinating that he now goes handicap chasing and he might just be a risk worth taking. Not Sure was a convincing winner at Hereford - a much-improved effort - and will be in the mix if able to repeat that level from an 8lb higher mark. Hometown Hero was a major disappointment at Market Rasen when last seen, but is better than that and Dan Skelton applies a first-time tongue tie and cheekpieces. Chanceux and Animal can also feature in an open affair.
Franigane (FR) 7-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, ridden and headway 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out, no extra, 4th of 8, dist behind Wheelbahri (10-9) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Hometown Hero (IRE) 9-2cfav (11-10) Held up, struggling from 6 out, pulled up after 4 out, at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Chanceux (IRE) 16-1 (11-13) Tracked leaders, led after 3rd, forged on 3 out, 4 lengths clear 2 out, ridden and pressed run-in, headed closing stages, no extra, 2nd of 14, 2 1/4l behind Bak Rocky (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Point Him Out (USA) 12-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, outpaced next, kept on to go 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 5, 9l behind Midnight Midge (11-9) at Taunton 2m 2f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Diomede Des Mottes (FR) 20-1 (11-7) Mid-division, fell 4th, at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Gold Emery (FR) 9-4fav (10-13) Prominent on outside, not fluent 8th, challenged 2 out, soon led, headed after last, no extra and lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Lock's Corner (11-12) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Animal (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Towards rear, ridden approaching 4 out, headway approaching 3 out, kept on after last but no match for first 2, 3rd of 12, 4 1/4l behind Harlem Soul (11-1) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Not Sure (IRE) 7-1 (11-13) Always prominent, went 2nd 8th, led before 3 out (normal 4 out), kept on strongly and ridden clear extended run-in, won at Hereford 2m 5f hcp (5) sft in Jan beating Henschke (12-2) by 7l, 13 ran.
Drop Him In (IRE) 20-1 (12-1) Tracked leaders, pushed along 10th, outpaced 4 out, weakened after 3 out, 7th of 8, 37 1/4l behind William Cody (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Tip Top Mountain (IRE) 5-4fav (11-9) Close up, hit 2nd, not fluent 5th, ridden along after 9th, weakened gradually from 2 out, 4th of 8, 27 1/4l behind En Coeur (10-5) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Discko Des Plages (FR) 14-1 (11-6) Held up towards rear, headway when not fluent 9th, not fluent 4 out, led when bad mistake, unseated rider then fell 3 out, at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Luis Van Zandt (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Off the pace and always towards rear, tailed off, 5th of 11, dist behind Greenrock Abbey (12-1) at Hereford 2m hcp (5) sft in Jan.
