prominent, led after 2nd, pressed at 4th, pushed along 3 out, untidy 2 out, not fluent at last, extended advantage on run-in
never dangerous in rear
prominent, raced wide, went second before 3rd, pressed leader at 4th, lost ground at 6th, weakened before 3 out
held up, dropped to rear at 6th, pulled up after 4 out
held up, pushed along 4 out, soon weakened
midfield, ridden after 4 out, held when mistake 3 out
tracked leaders, lost position halfway, ridden after 4 out, no impression
held up, headway into midfield but not fluent 7th, ridden after 4 out, faded from 3 out
midfield, went second 3 out, ridden from 2 out, kept on after last but no match for winner
chased leader, lost second when not fluent 3 out, ridden and outpaced, no extra on run-in, lost third in final strides
led early, soon prominent, disputed second 4 out, outpaced 3 out, made minor headway into third close home
in rear and lost touch, pulled up after 3 out
midfield, ridden 4 out, outpaced before 3 out, well held from 2 out
Rookie Trainer and Devour were both winners last time and Golden Robin also arrives in good form. Ascot runner-up Sometimes Always is among the least exposed and Giovanni Change is a consistent sort. Trapper Peak isn’t getting any younger and is probably a few pounds too high at present but he is still more than capable in this grade and having Kevin Brogan in the saddle is an obvious plus. Kangaroo Valley is gradually finding some form but ROCK ON TIGER is overdue a first victory. The latter needs a galloping track so it was no surprise that he wasn’t quite at his best again at Ludlow last time.
Sometimes Always (IRE) 17-2 (11-10) Led, wandered into some of the hurdles, 2 1/2 lengths clear last, edged left flat, headed towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind College Oak (11-7) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Rookie Trainer (IRE) 3-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway going well before 3 out, niggled along to sit 2nd despite mistake 2 out, left in lead last, ridden out, won at Fontwell 2m 3f mdn (4) gs in Oct beating Coquelicot (10-9) by 3l, 9 ran.
Giovanni Change (FR) 3-1 (10-12) Led, jumped right 1st, hit 3rd, headed when not fluent 5th, no impression on winner 2 out, 3rd one pace flat, 3rd of 13, 8 3/4l behind Qualismart (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f mdn (4) gd in Nov.
Enfin Phil (FR) 50-1 (11-2) Midfield, headway to chase leaders 6th, led 4 out, headed before 2 out, weakened before last, 6th of 18, 21 1/4l behind Arrivederci (11-10) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Archie Brown (IRE) 40-1 (11-11) Held up in mid-division, headway to chase leaders 6th, ridden and lost ground quickly before 2 out, faded, 7th of 9, dist behind Cousin Oscar (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Seaborough (IRE) 22-1 (11-8) Unseated rider 1st, at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Trapper Peak (IRE) 7-2jfav (11-8) Towards rear, some headway under pressure before 2 out, weakened before last, 5th of 9, 16l behind Cousin Oscar (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Devour (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Mid-division, headway approaching 8th, challenged 3 out, soon led, edged right after 2 out, edged left last, stayed on well flat, won at Wetherby 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Oct beating Doyen Breed (11-10) by 2l, 11 ran.
Golden Robin (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Mid-division, not fluent 3rd, shuffled back towards rear 5th, headway to chase leader past bypassed 3 out, ridden 2 out, faded from last, lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Cousin Oscar (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Sheriff Garrett (IRE) 33-1 (10-10) Chased leader until pushed along before 3 out, weakened before next, 8th of 10, dist behind Mario De Pail (11-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Loughermore (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Held up behind leaders, ridden and still close up 3 out, faded from 2 out, 4th of 9, 26 1/4l behind Le Cheval Noir (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f (4) hvy in Nov.
Rock On Tiger (FR) 11-4fav (11-8) Midfield, nudged along before 3 out, soon struggling, 5th of 9, 15 1/2l behind Robinshill (12-2) at Ludlow 2m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Kangaroo Valley (USA) 6-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, pushed along and lost place before 6th, behind next, rallied under pressure from 2 out, modest 4th between last 2, 4th of 12, 17l behind Floating Rock (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
