held up mid-division, pushed along 5th and in rear, pulled up before 7th, tailed off
led, headed before 4 out, ridden before last, kept on
with leader and keen, ridden before 3 out, one pace in 3rd when mistake last
in rear, weakened from 6 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd from 11th, led before 4 out, kept on well from last
held up in touch, pushed along after 5 out, one pace from 4 out
GOLDEN INVESTMENT won a novices' handicap at Kelso in May and was still in touch, though being pushed along, when unseating his rider at Ayr on his reappearance. Two Smokin Barrels only had two rivals to beat when landing a maiden hurdle here in April then ran moderately when stepped up to this trip at Uttoxeter. Mister Don overcame a bad mistake to score over 3m2f at Doncaster and needs a thorough test of stamina, which he may not get here. I Just Know went up 9lb for landing a novices' contest at Hexham and it appeared to take its toll at Market Rasen, where he soon capitulated after attempting to make all again. Bronco Billy landed a handicap over timber at Huntingdon in April but finished a long way last of five on his chasing bow at Worcester in October and will need to do much better than that.
Bronco Billy (IRE) 7-1 (10-13) Tracked leader, challenged 3 out, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened, last of 5, dist behind Fayette County (11-5) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
I Just Know (IRE) 2-1fav (11-8) Led, hit 4 out, headed before 3 out, driven along soon after, kept on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 8, 11l behind Emerald Rose (11-5) at Market Rasen 3m hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Golden Investment (IRE) 6-4fav (11-4) Made most, ridden after 4 out, headed when blundered and unseated rider next, at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
St Johns Point (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Tracked leader until 8th, mistake 11th, weakened before 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Two Smokin Barrels 6-1jfav (11-2) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, headed 2 out, no extra and lost 3rd place from last, 4th of 11, 6l behind Very Extravagant (11-1) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in May.
Mister Don (IRE) 7-4fav (11-12) Held up in touch in rear, headway 10th, blundered badly 13th, challenged 2 out, over 1 length down flat, rallied towards finish, led post, won at Doncaster 3m 2f hcp (5) gs in Nov beating Lakefield Rebel (11-5) by shd, 6 ran.
