chased leader until hit 3rd, chased leaders, hit next, went 2nd again 4 out, pushed along before next, lost 2nd before 2 out, weakened between last 2, plugged on run-in
chased leaders, hit 6th and pushed along, weakened after 4 out
held up last, never a factor, tailed off 4 out, hit next, pulled up before 2 out
in touch, pushed along after 4 out, soon weakened
held up in touch, headway on outside after 5th, chasing leaders when blundered 4 out, weakened before next
chased leader 3rd until 4 out, chased leaders, badly outpaced before 3 out, rallied and switched left and went 2nd again before 2 out, ridden to lead last, stayed on well to go clear run-in
held up in last pair, headway chasing leaders in 3rd after 4 out, well held when blundered last, weakened run-in
chased leaders on outside, lost place quickly after 5th, soon behind and pulled up before next
chased leaders, lost place 6th, pushed along in 5th before 3 out, plugged on in modest 3rd run-in
led, went clear before 3 out, edged left soon after, headed last, no extra run-in
Who's In The Box is a winning recruit from the point-to-point arena and the market should help to clarify expectations under Rules for the first time but FITZROY (NAP) sets a very decent standard for Olly Murphy and Brian Hughes. The Fame And Glory gelding ended last season with a close second in a Wincanton bumper and reappeared this term with a solid runner-up effort behind the highly promising Ecco, who has won again since and was an excellent sixth in last season's Triumph Hurdle. Irish Minister ran well on the Flat latest but Oscar Robertson is a likelier shortlist candidate after showing promise on his bumper debut in a decent Chepstow contest.
A Ladies Milan (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Prominent when fell 1st, at Hexham 2m (4) hvy in Nov.
Fitzroy (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, not always fluent, went 2nd after the 2nd, outpaced before 2 out, stayed on to take 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 8l behind Ecco (11-0) at Wincanton 1m 7f mdn (4) gd in Oct.
Hows Johnny 66-1 (11-0) Towards rear, tailed off before 3 out, pulled up, at Wetherby 2m (3) sft in Nov.
Irish Minister (USA) 25-1 (9-4) Slowly into stride, held up behind, headway over 3f out, ridden to chase leaders over 2f out, went 3rd and kept on inside final furlong, no impression, 3rd of 11, 3l behind Thahab Ifraj (9-9) at Southwell 2m hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Kauto D'Amour (FR) 100-1 (10-12) Led until 4th, chased leader until 7th, weakened next, soon behind, 10th of 14, dist behind Redford Road (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f (4) gs in Nov.
Oscar Robertson (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Flashed tail early, mid-division, hung left and outpaced 4f out, no threat after, 7th of 12, 10l behind Make Me A Believer (11-0) at Chepstow 2m (4) sft in Oct.
Rare Clouds 28-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway before 4 out to chase leaders, outpaced before 2 out, 6th of 17, 24 3/4l behind Glenduff (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f (4) gs in Nov.
Thenightisyoung (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) In rear when brought down 2nd, at Stratford 2m 6f (4) gd in Apr.
Who's In The Box (IRE) 6-1 (12-2) Chsd ldrs in 3rd, disp well aftr 4out, ld bef 3out, 1 1/2l adv gng best bef last where faster jump, asserted flat, won at Bartlemy 3m mdn gd in May beating Into The Woods (11-11) by 3l, 9 ran.
Blossoming Forth (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, lost place over 5f out, eased over 2f out, 14th of 15, dist behind Legends Ryde (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 1f (5) sft in Oct.