with leader, led before 3rd, headed 4 out, hit last, no extra flat
led until before 3rd, chased leader, led 4 out, not fluent 2 out, stayed on well flat
held up in last pair, closed on outside 4 out, jumped left 2 out, driven and every chance before last, no impression and lost 2nd flat
held up in last pair, closed 4 out, not fluent 3 out, jumped left last, went 2nd flat, not trouble winner
No Getaway is the only one of these which doesn’t like to lead so expect a strong pace. Barton Knoll was all out to hold off Dino Velvet at Doncaster and three of his four victories over fences have come on Town Moor whereas SCHIEHALLION MUNRO has become a standing dish around here and is a flag-bearer for his yard. The nine-year-old did finish behind John Mackie’s runner at Ayr last season but that was a rare poor run. Paint The Dream hasn’t done much wrong since winning at Chepstow in October so can’t be ignored.
Paint The Dream 5-1 (11-12) Soon led, strongly pressed 4 out, pushed along and headed after 3 out, ridden 2 out, weakened last, 4th of 9, 11 1/2l behind Golden Whisky (10-5) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Schiehallion Munro 3-1jfav (11-12) Led, headed after 2nd, awkward 3rd, led narrowly 8th, headed 10th, narrow advantage 2 out, stayed on flat, won at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Dec beating Buster Valentine (10-12) by 3 1/4l, 8 ran.
No Getaway (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, pressed leader 3 out, ridden and weakened after 2 out, pulled up before last, at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Barton Knoll 11-8fav (11-7) Made all, hit 5th, not fluent 5 out, ridden before last, 3 lengths clear last, kept on run-in, just held on, all out, won at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Nov beating Dino Velvet (11-10) by shd, 4 ran.
