slight lead, awkward 3rd, headed before 10th, chased winner, awkward next, pushed along and lost 2nd 3 out, weakened into 4th between last 2
raced in touch, pulled up quickly after 7th, dismounted
chased leaders, led before 10th, headed briefly approaching 2 out, soon in front again, ridden and stayed on well from last
held up in last pair, headway chasing leaders 11th, pushed along before 3 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, went 2nd on inside 3 out, led briefly approaching 2 out outjumped and headed 2 out, stayed on same pace, weakened into 3rd run-in
chased leaders, pushed along before 4 out, ridden and weakened before next
held up towards rear, 6th when awkward 13th, headway approaching 2 out, 3rd when stumbled last, went 2nd run-in
soon detached, tailed off and pulled up before 12th
behind, tailed off and pulled up before 11th
Fresh New Dawn has been showing enough lately to be thereabouts in a race like this. Kilbrew Boy, a previous course and distance winner who attracted market support last time, also goes on the shortlist and a case can be made for both Kilcara and Magic River but, after only a handful of rides, this could be a red letter day for Thomasina Eyston if BATTLE OF IDEAS consents to put his best foot forward as Colin Tizzard’s charge is now 3lb lower than for his last success.
Fresh New Dawn (IRE) 12-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, not fluent 7th, driven along in 4th after 3 out, 3rd next, went 2nd last strides, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 7l behind Defuture Is Bright (10-13) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Saffron Wells (IRE) 9-4 (12-7) (cp) led 7-13; ev ch aft 2 out; 3rd when pu flat, at Bratton Down 3m gf in Jun.
Kilbrew Boy (IRE) 9-2cfav (11-10) Prominent, led after 2nd, soon headed, tracked leaders, 3rd and pushed along 2 out, stayed on same pace flat, 4th of 12, 5 3/4l behind Piggy Winkle (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Kilcara (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Held up in last trio, pushed along and struggling after 13th, never on terms, 7th of 9, 30 3/4l behind Defuture Is Bright (10-13) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Llancillo Lord (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Mid-division, hit 13th, ridden and stayed on from 2 out, went second flat but no match for winner, 2nd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Stupid Cupid (10-8) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Oct.
Battle Of Ideas (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Chased leader, not fluent 3rd, lost 2nd 10th, struggling 4 out, weakened after next, 5th of 8, 19 1/4l behind Northern Bound (11-12) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Magic River (IRE) 15-2 (11-2) Held up in 6th, ridden and weakened 13th, 5th of 9, 17 3/4l behind Defuture Is Bright (10-13) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Nativegetaway (IRE) 66-1 (11-8) In rear, reminders 3rd, lost touch 5th, ridden after 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, at Exeter 2m 6f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Cropley (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) Mid-division, towards rear and struggling before 5th, tailed off, 10th of 11, dist behind Lots Of Luck (11-12) at Ffos Las 2m hcp (5) gs in Oct.
