held up in last pair, blundered 3rd, behind when badly hampered by injured horse after 13th, closer in 5th at 15th, mistake 4 out, no headway
chased leader until 6th, chased leaders, lost place and outpaced 15th, rallied3 out, went 2nd before 2 out, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner
led, headed 15th, chased winner but no chance when weakened before 2 out
raced in 5th, lost place and in rear 10th, badly hampered and pulled up after 13th
mistake 1st, off the pace in last trio, mistake 5th, good headway on inside 13th, ridden and went 2nd after 3 out, no chance with winner and dropped to 3rd before next
chased leaders in 4th, jumped slowly and lost place 15th, rallied into modest 4th at the last
chased leaders, went 2nd at 6th until 12th, losing place quickly when collapsed and hit rail after 13th
held up off the pace towards rear, headway and pushed along 9th, went 2nd at 12th, led 15th, hit 3 out, ridden clear before hit 2 out, stayed on strongly
NonRunner
Barbrook Star won this race in 2019 when 13lb higher and Accordingtogino was successful 12 months ago, though is still 3lb higher. Flying Verse stays well but is probably back in the handicapper’s grip. Republican has shown promise in a couple of chase starts and was unlucky over hurdles when last seen but a first victory over a similar trip at Newton Abbot should have done wonders for the confidence of THE NEWEST ONE, who can complete a double. Head On may be the pick of the remainder.
Republican 4-1fav (11-5) Midfield, headway to chase leaders 3 out (usual 2 out), ridden to challenge approaching last, led when fell last, at Perth 3m 3f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
The Newest One (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Handy, pressed leader before 3 out, led and not fluent 2 out, soon ridden and went clear before last, ran on well, won at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (4) gs in Oct beating Soyouthinksoagain (11-12) by 4 1/2l, 6 ran.
Accordingtogino (IRE) 5-1 (12-0) Not fluent 1st, detached early, pulled up before 11th, at Stratford 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Flying Verse 9-1 (11-7) Soon tracking leaders, led and hit 10th, hit 16th, headed 4 out, chased winner, well held next, weakened into 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 6, 17 1/4l behind Mr Mafia (11-7) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (3) gf in Oct.
Bali Body (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, hit 5 out, ridden and every chance 2 out, kept on one pace, just held on to 2nd, 2nd of 9, 11l behind Storm Nelson (11-11) at Carlisle 3m 1f hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Monty Guiry (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Towards rear, mistakes 8th and 12th, ridden after 15th, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 6, 31 3/4l behind The Newest One (11-5) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Barbrook Star (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, slow 7th, pushed along before 13th, lost touch after 18th, behind when pulled up before 5 out, at Chepstow 3m 7f hcp (4) gd in Mar.
Head On (IRE) 8-11fav (10-0) Jumping lacked fluency, prominent until 2nd, chased leaders, mistake 6th, mistake 11th (water), soon last, driven and did not look keen after 12th, pulled up before 4 out, at Perth 3m hcp (4) gs in Sep.
Favori De Sivola (FR) 2-1jfav (10-13) In rear, midfield 4th (water), not fluent 6th, mistake 15th, ridden and lost touch 4 out, awkward 3 out, no extra, 4th of 5, 25l behind Alminar (11-3) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (3) gs in Mar.
