held up, not fluent 1st or 12th, effort when mistake 15th, weakened before 4 out, pulled up before next
prominent, led 15th hit 4 out, headed next, no impression on winner flat, lost 2nd towards finish
held up, not fluent 8th, headway next, led 3 out, edged left before last, driven out
with leader until 2nd, chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, every chance 3 out, no impression on winner last, went 2nd and kept on towards finish
led until 3rd, left in lead 13th, headed 15th, weakened before 3 out, tailed off
mid-division, jumped right 1st, headway 9th, mistake 15th, weakened 4 out, tailed off
held up in rear, not fluent 8th, closed when not fluent 17th, went 4th before 3 out, never on terms with leaders
took keen hold, jumped left at times, tracked leaders, led 3rd, clear 6th until after 8th, veered left 13th and took wrong course and pulled up
Nonrunner
Decent form looks thin on the ground in this novices' handicap, though Head Spin did win at Southwell and Plumpton before the turn of the year. However, he looked to be too high in the weights when failing to land the odds last time. Winning pointer Brave Encounter showed nothing under Rules last season but veteran Cool Bob would have place claims if you ignore the fact that he was pulled up at Ffos Las last month. MERCHANT OF MILAN is no world-beater but he did have The Cat's Away when plodding on into fourth place at Huntingdon last month and would have as good a chance as any if on his best behaviour.
Mount Prospex (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, weakened approaching 7th, tailed off, 5th of 9, 36l behind Brandon Hill (11-0) at Exeter 2m 7f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Head Spin (IRE) 4-5fav (11-9) Held up towards rear, headway before 6th, went 3rd from 5 out, went 2nd before 4 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 8, 14l behind Sitting Back (10-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp 0-100 (5) sft in Dec.
Bang On Time (IRE) 15-2 (11-8) Towards rear when mistake and unseated rider 2nd, in a race won by Newton Thistle (10-3) at Towcester 3m hcp 0-100 (5) sft in Dec, 9 ran.
Shanann Star (IRE) 20-1 (11-3) Mistake 2nd, always in rear, struggling 12th, weakened 3 out, 6th of 9, well behind Newton Thistle (10-3) at Towcester 3m hcp 0-100 (5) sft in Dec.
The Cat's Away (IRE) 33-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, closer order 9th, mistake 12th, pushed along in 5th before 14th, weakened soon after, tailed off, 6th of 9, well behind Ballybough Andy (11-12) at Huntingdon 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.
Cool Bob (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Towards rear, pushed along and struggling after 9th, never on terms, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Magical Man (10-0) at Ffos Las 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec, 11 ran.
Edeiff's Lad 33-1 (10-7) last of 9, well behind Seaviper (11-6) at Ludlow 2m 5f cond nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.
Vering (FR) 20-1 (10-6) Pulled hard and raced wide, soon with leaders, led after 3rd until next, chased leaders until weakened before 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 7, well behind Uimhir A Seacht (10-10) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp hdl (3yo+) (5) hvy in Dec '12.
Merchant Of Milan 10-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, closer order 9th, went 5th 14th, modest 4th approaching and went left 2 out,, 4th of 9, 13l behind Ballybough Andy (11-12) at Huntingdon 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.
Brave Encounter (IRE) 11-2 (12-0) Led aft 2; stayed on wl, won at South Tetcott 3m ptp sft in May beating Sutton Storm (12-0) by 3l, 11 ran.
Beaujolais Bob 20-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, lost place quickly before 5th, never on terms after, 8th of 16, 24l behind Bredon Hill Lad (11-6) at Exeter 2m 5f am hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Dec.
