close up in 3rd, went 4th from 3 out, one pace
led to 6th, led again after 4 out, ridden and headed run-in, kept on
held up towards rear, headway before 4 out, every chance 3 out, ridden before last, no extra run-in
held up mid-division, headway before 7th, went 3rd before 3 out, led run-in, kept on
held up mid-division, pushed along before 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off
chased leaders in 3rd, pushed along before 7th, outpaced 4 out, headway before next, kept on to take 4th place run-in
in rear, took keen hold, some headway before 3 out, no impression
towards rear, pushed along 4 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, pushed along 7th, weakened before 3 out
tracked leader, led 6th, headed after 4 out, soon outpaced
Nonrunner
This isn't a great race but Montaff is only a plater nowadays and faces a stiff task under top weight. Casual Cavalier will be fancied to go one better after seconds at Sedgefield and Newcastle but he's creeping up the weights, though does appear to have the beating of Politbureau on the form book. BILLY TWO TONGUES has been racing over further but must have some sort of chance as he's coming down the weights and Harry Bannister's claim is an extra bonus. Old Knight Valliant is now on a lowest-ever mark over timber but Graphene has shown little so far.
Sassanova (FR) 9-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, close up when ran out and unseated rider 4 out, in a race won by Frank N Fair (10-1) at Bangor 2m 4f mrs hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in Dec, 12 ran.
Casual Cavalier (IRE) 2-1fav (11-4) Tracked leaders, went 2nd after 3rd, effort when not fluent 3 out, driven before next, kept on same pace, not reach winner, 2nd of 9, 2 1/4l behind Beyondtemptation (9-9) at Newcastle 2m nov hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Dec.
Politbureau 40-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, ridden before 2 out, one pace and no impression, 4th of 11, 11l behind Beatabout The Bush (11-0) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
Billy Two Tongues 6-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, lost place and dropped to mid-division 5th, towards rear after 7th, never dangerous after, 8th of 9, 11l behind Madam Lilibet (11-0) at Carlisle 3m 1f am hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Nov.
Graphene 100-1 (10-9) Mid-division, outpaced after 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 14, 14l behind Notnowsam (10-12) at Catterick 2m 3yo hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Purple Harry 22-1 (10-0) Prominent, ridden and weakened 3 out, 7th of 14, 19l behind Hail The Brave (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Knight Valliant 40-1 (10-7) Behind, headway from 3 out, no impression, 7th of 15, 25l behind Acordingtoscript (10-0) at Carlisle 2m 1f cond hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Oct.
Cadgers Hole 100-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, struggling 4 out, 9th and behind next, 6th of 10, 43l behind Lough Derg Walk (11-6) at Bangor 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) sft.
Lilly's Legend 15-2 (10-10) Tracked leaders, in 4th 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 14, well behind Jukebox Melody (11-11) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Dec.
Blue Sea Of Ibrox (IRE) 10-1 (9-11) Led, headed after 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 10, 12l behind It's Oscar (10-6) at Market Rasen 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in Dec.
Montaff 13-2 (10-13) Held up in rear, not fluent 4th, went modest 4th 4 out, no chance, 4th of 7, well behind Wayward Frolic (10-13) at Leicester 2m 4f sell hdl (5) hvy.
Chendiyr (FR) 33-1 (10-9) Held up in 5th, ridden and struggling in rear after 6th, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Join The Navy (11-7) at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy, 9 ran.
