led, headed 2nd, stayed prominent, lost place 13th, well beaten from next, pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, closed before 6th, lost place 11th, struggling next, went modest 4th 2 out
not jump well, towards rear, well beaten from 11th, pulled up before 2 out
mistakes, towards rear, not much room 11th, closed 13th, went modest 3rd 2 out, no impression
chased leaders, went 2nd from 11th, every chance 3 out, held from last
held up in mid-division, not much room 1st, closed 6th, weakened after 3 out, fell 2 out
prominent, led 2nd, jumped right and mistake 10th, clear flat, stayed on
prominent, mistake 5th, lost place 11th, weakened from next, pulled up before 2 out
in rear, not fluent 1st, behind from 3rd
Eros is 0-11 over fences but has shown enough to be competitive in a race like this, though was pulled up here on New Year’s Eve when MUSE OF FIRE (NAP) finished second. Gary Hanmer’s charge got taken off his feet at Catterick next time and a return to this stiffer track will suit. Rock Of Star would be a danger if putting in a clear round with Bells Of Stamford also respected. Stumps Or Slips is making his chasing debut after a lay-off.
Imperial Hope (IRE) 10-1 (11-8) Off the pace in last pair, short-lived effort turning in, weakened before 3 out, 6th of 10, dist behind Walk In The Wild (10-12) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Rock Of Star (FR) 2-1fav (10-8) Took keen hold, chased leader, awkward 1st, ridden before 3 out where dropped to 3rd, beaten when mistake and unseated rider last, at Wincanton 2m hcp (4) gs in Feb.
Stumps Or Slips (IRE) 5-1 (11-5) Rear mid-division, effort and headway home turn, went 3rd approaching 3 out, ridden 2 out, every chance last, no extra run-in, 3rd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Midnight Jewel (11-7) at Worcester 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Jul.
Sir Jack West (IRE) 11-2 (11-2) In touch, headway 4 out, left in lead entering straight approaching 3 out, headed soon after, pulled up last, at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (5) hvy in Dec.
Eros (FR) 6-1 (10-4) Held up in mid-division, headway out wide chasing leaders 8th, 2nd going well before 4 out, every chance 2 out, lost 2nd between last two, no extra in 3rd, 3rd of 10, 6 1/4l behind Lazy Sunday (10-8) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Feb.
Muse Of Fire (IRE) 11-4fav (10-10) Held up off the pace in mid-division, left 3rd 4th, left 2nd 3 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 16l behind Snowy Clouds (12-1) at Catterick 2m hcp (5) gd in Feb.
Bells Of Stamford (IRE) 11-4fav (10-10) Chased leaders, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 4th of 10, 16 3/4l behind Supasunrise (10-11) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (5) gs in Dec.
Bardd (IRE) 14-1 (10-6) Prominent, pushed along 4 out and steadily lost touch, beaten when fell 3 out, at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp (5) gs in Dec.
Whiskey Times (IRE) 300-1 (11-3) Behind, tailed off 7th, pulled up before 3 out, at Doncaster 2m 5f mdn (4) gs in Jan.
