always towards rear, ridden 4 out, never on terms
tracked leaders, chased clear leader 4th, closed next, led 4 out, quickened clear 2 out, comfortable
close up, closed 6th, blundered and unseated rider 5 out
held up, headway 5 out, chased leaders 2 out, ridden and stayed on to go 2nd towards finish
tracked leader until 4th, tracked leaders, pushed along 4 out, ridden and kept on same pace
in touch, lost place 8th
always towards rear, ridden 4 out, never on terms
taken to post early, keen led and soon clear, reduced lead 5th, headed 4 out, soon weakened, fell 2 out
held up in rear, headway 6th, tracked leaders 5 out, chased winner 4 out, no impression and lost 2nd towards finish
Special Catch was 7lb higher when second here last Boxing Day but lost his way after that. Theflyingportrait had Oak Vintage well behind when successful over course and distance last month and then ran a cracker behind Yorkist at Aintree. He races off the same mark today and will take all the beating if in the same mood but FAIR LOCH doesn’t look badly treated on his return to action and could spring a surprise if fully wound-up as it’s a long time since veteran Savello got his head in front and Demi Sang is best watched until showing signs of a revival.
Demi Sang (FR) 12-1 (10-8) Held up, mistake 1st and rider without irons briefly, jumped left 7th and bumped rival, not a factor after and pulled up 3 out, at Punchestown 2m 4f hcp Yielding in Apr.
Theflyingportrait (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) Tracked leaders, went 2nd from 3rd, led 3 out, headed next, no impression on winner flat, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 11, 6l behind Yorkist (11-5) at Aintree 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Robbing The Prey (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Led, not fluent and jumped left 2nd, not fluent 4th, headed after 3 out, weakened from next, 9th of 11, dist behind Yorkist (11-5) at Aintree 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Special Catch (IRE) 6-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, took closer order approaching 5 out, hampered and left in 2nd 4 out, not fluent next, weakening when tired mistake 2 out, soon pulled up, at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Apr.
Oak Vintage (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Led to after 4th, led again next, headed narrowly approaching 4 out, hit next, outpaced when left 3rd 2 out, no impression after, lost place closing stages, 4th of 6, 19 3/4l behind Theflyingportrait (11-12) at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Vendor (FR) 20-1 (11-9) Last pair, jumped slowly and struggling 5th, tailed off next, never a factor, 6th of 7, 29l behind Cornborough (11-1) at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Fair Loch 12-1 (9-9) Dwelt, soon recovered to lead, hung badly right and headed over 6f out, soon behind, not run on, tailed off, last of 7, dist behind Siempre Amigos (8-12) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp (5) pol in May.
Horst (FR) 11-1 (11-1) Raced keenly, led and clear to 7th, headed before 2 out, no chance with clear pair between last 2, 3rd of 4, dist behind Tayzar (10-3) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Savello (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway 5 out, chased leaders next, left in 2nd at last, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 6, 1 1/2l behind Lillington (11-4) at Lingfield 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
