held up, made headway and ridden before 3 out, kept on after 2 out, rallied and ran on after final fence
tracked leader, travelled strongly and made headway to lead before 2 out, jumped last fence well, won easily
tracked leader, ridden and outpaced at 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up, ridden and outpaced before 11th fence, pulled up
held up at rear, tailed off
led and ridden after 3 out, headed at 2 out, weakened after final fence
High Counsel won this off a pound higher mark two years ago and seeks a fourth course victory. It would be no surprise to see him run well again but Creative Inerta has found some form again and GRAND TURINA (NAP) showed a willing attitude to land one of these at Lingfield earlier this month. Ned Fox takes off 10lb again and Venetia Williams’ 10-year-old looks the one to beat. Militarian also has claims but Twojayslad lacks a recent run and Lickpenny Larry is better over shorter.
Militarian 6-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, dropped towards rear 5 out, never a factor, 4th of 9, 15l behind Sounds Russian (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Grand Turina 5-2 (11-1) Raced keenly tracking leaders, 2nd out wide approaching 2 out, led narrowly bypassing 2 out, strongly pressed run-in, stayed on gamely, won at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Dec beating Bill And Barn (10-2) by nk, 7 ran.
Creative Inerta (IRE) 9-4 (11-7) Jumped right at times, held up, closed 4th, close 3rd last, held flat, kept on, 3rd of 5, 3 1/4l behind Soupy Soups (11-13) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Twojayslad 10-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, not fluent 1st, hampered and lost place 7th, headway 9th, not fluent 12th, ridden ad held before 3 out, mistake last, 5th of 8, 18 1/2l behind Marble Moon (11-7) at Ffos Las 3m hcp (5) gs in May.
High Counsel (IRE) 22-1 (10-9) In rear, never involved, tailed off, 6th of 9, dist behind Pemberley (11-12) at Warwick 3m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Lickpenny Larry 20-1 (10-0) Led, joined 2 out (normal 3 out), headed bypassing next, weakened before the last, 6th of 7, 19 3/4l behind Grand Turina (11-1) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
