chased leaders, not fluent 5th, went 2nd after 9th until 3 out, jumped left and weakened next, remote 3rd and very tired when pulled up before last
tracked leader, challenged 9th, soon led, clear before last, stayed on
held up in rear, headway after 8th, went 2nd 3 out, no impression on winner when mistake last, finished tired
led until after 9th, weakened 4 out, 4th and very tired when pulled up before last
in rear, closed 5th, 4th 4 out, soon hung left, weakened after next, pulled up after 2 out
held up, ridden after 8th, weakened next, pulled up before 4 out
Nonrunner
Several of these won their penultimate starts but were well beaten off higher marks last time. That includes course and distance winner Truckers Highway, Winston Churchill and Long John. The former makes most appeal of that trio while Ace Fighter Pilot can race off a lower mark than when successful at Newton Abbot but that was back in 2013. JAUNTY INFLIGHT went close when runner-up over 2m here last month. That form looks solid enough with third-placed Daveron subsequently winning and Brian Eckley's charge gets the vote.
Ace Fighter Pilot 16-1 (10-8) Slight lead until headed 11th, chased leader until 14th, chased leading pair but outpaced and no chance before 4 out, tailed off, 3rd of 7, dist behind Benvolio (11-0) at Newbury 3m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Truckers Highway (IRE) 7-4fav (11-4) Held up in touch, under pressure 5 out, chased leaders 3 out, kept on to go 3rd after last, never a threat, 3rd of 7, 20l behind Nautical Twilight (11-0) at Catterick 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Long John 15-2 (11-12) Held up in rear, headway before 3 out, plugged on from next, went 3rd towards finish, never dangerous, 3rd of 9, 23l behind Rocky Bender (11-7) at Exeter 3m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Winston Churchill (IRE) 3-1 (10-13) Tracked winner until after 4 out, chased leaders, weakened before next, 4th of 5, 34 1/4l behind Alder Mairi (11-8) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Jaunty Inflight 8-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders, led 4 out, not fluent last, headed and edged left flat, held close home, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Cappielow Park (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Alberto's Dream 14-1 (10-4) Held up behind, headway and in touch on outer after 9th, driven to chase leaders before 5 out, soon no impression, weakened and pulled up after 3 out, at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
American World (FR) 33-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, not fluent 11th, went 2nd before 11th until 4 out, one pace and no impression after 2 out, hit last, no extra, 3rd of 6, 13l behind Bredon Hill Lad (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
