held up towards rear, mistake 4th, closed on outside, 7th, went 2nd before 15th, no impression on winner from 4 out
mid-division, 5th and ridden before 14th, no impression, weakened next, pulled up before last
jumped deliberately, in rear, behind and ridden 8th, tailed off before 11th, soon pulled up
led, headed when blundered 14th, weakened next
mid-division, lost place approaching 4th, 6th and ridden before 14th, mistake next, modest 4th 3 out, no impression
tracked leaders, hit 6th, outpaced 13th, behind next, pulled up after
tracked leaders, stumbled and unseated rider 13th
mid-division, jumped right, mistake 1st, jumped right 8th, struggling 10th, behind 12th, pulled up before 14th
chased leaders, hit 10th, no chance with winner from 4 out, one pace, closing on 2nd towards finish
tracked leader, not fluent 4th, led 14th, clear 4 out, stumbled on bend before making mistake 2 out, easily
Course winner WILLOUGHBY HEDGE was still travelling with purpose when coming to grief in a competitive Newbury handicap on his chasing debut and should prove tough to beat if putting in a clear round despite the impost of joint topweight. He's always looked a staying chaser in the making. Sharing the burden of topweight is Newton Thistle, a confirmed stayer on soft or heavy conditions, who nevertheless seems to reserve his best for Towcester. Smart Exit has place claims but Bear Rails, winner of his only chase, rates as likelier shortlist material off a competitive mark for an in-form yard with Tom Scudamore a good booking.
Willoughby Hedge 8-1 (11-3) Held up behind, headway 12th, disputed 2nd and close up when fell 5 out, at Newbury 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Newton Thistle 5-2jfav (10-11) Tracked leader, led 11th, clear 4 out, unchallenged after, driven out, tired flat, kept on, won at Towcester 3m hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Gamain (11-6) by 14l, 7 ran.
Tidal Dance (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) Mid-division, lost place 9th, weakened 5 out, tailed off, 7th of 14, dist behind Imagine The Chat (10-12) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Paddy The Oscar (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) Tracked leader, led 4 out, headed before and fell when weakening 3 out, at Taunton 2m 7f hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
Itoldyou (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) Held up in touch, lost place and behind from 7th, mistake next, soon lost touch, tailed off when almost carried out by loose horse after last, 6th of 8, dist behind Noble Legend (11-2) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Smart Exit (IRE) 5-2jfav (11-8) Held up in last pair, close up 10th, left 4th at 12th, outpaced 4 out, went moderate 3rd after next, plugged on, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 7, 25l behind Newton Thistle (10-11) at Towcester 3m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Themanfrom Minella (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Mid-division, lost place 6th, rallying when mistake 14th, never on terms, 6th of 12, dist behind West Of The Edge (10-0) at Market Rasen 3m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Castarnie 11-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, led before 5 out, mistake next, soon headed, mistake 3 out, weakend before last, 6th of 11, dist behind Big Society (11-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Bears Rails 9-4fav (11-11) Led or disputed lead until led 10th, headed 12th, regained lead after next, 11/2 lengths advantage when mistake 2 out, kept on when hard pressed before last, ridden clear flat, won at Fakenham 3m hcp (4) gs in Dec beating Tanner Hill (10-5) by 2l, 6 ran.
As De Fer (FR) 11-2fav (10-7) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 14th, chased leaders in 6th next, weakened after 17th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, at Exeter 3m 7f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
