tracked leaders, went 2nd before 3 out until before 2 out, lost 3rd before last, no extra
tracked leader, challenged after 2 out, led last, kept on well
behind, pushed along before 12th, headway next, weakened before last, pulled up
always behind, pulled up before 5th
in touch, mistake 10th, pushed along before 11th, soon weakened, pulled up
mid-division, towards rear and outpaced before 6th, kept on from 3 out, no impression
towards rear, driven 11th, soon weakened, pulled up
tracked leaders, ridden 14th, headway before 3 out, went 3rd before last, kept on
led, ridden and headed last, kept on and held towards finish
NonRunner
Talk Of The South has been placed in six of his 13 starts over fences and started favourite on a couple of occasions, including last time at Plumpton. But he’s proving disappointing and there will probably be at least one too good again among his rivals. Cucklington won over course and distance in November but couldn’t handle another 7lb rise when chasing a hat-trick at Taunton. AMBION LANE has been pulled up in both previous tries over fences but Victor Dartnall is persisting with the eight-year-old, who travelled strongly for a long way over hurdles at Exeter last month – he gets a tentative vote to come good.
Cucklington 5-2 (10-9) Prominent, led approaching 3rd, headed 5th, led again before 8th, headed 3 out, rallied next, no extra closing stages, 3rd of 6, 13 3/4l behind Kelvingrove (11-8) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Crank Em Up (IRE) 3-1fav (11-3) In touch, reminders from 6th, behind from 9th, lost touch when pulled up after next, at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Talk Of The South (IRE) 11-4fav (10-11) Led until headed and dropped to 3rd 6th, chased leading pair, ridden before 2 out, went modest 3rd run-in, 3rd of 7, 25 1/2l behind Frank N Fair (10-0) at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Dancing Conquest 100-1 (11-0) Took keen hold early, pecked 1st, held up in 4th, not fluent and dropped to rear 2nd (water), tailed off when blundered 5th, left remote 4th last, 4th of 5, dist behind The Nipper (11-0) at Exeter 2m 1f (3) sft in Dec.
Ambion Lane (IRE) 16-1 (10-6) Led on long run to 1st, led after 3rd, headed after 2 out, no extra flat, 5th of 11, 9 1/2l behind Flemcara (11-9) at Exeter 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Gowell (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Always towards rear, mistake 4 out, blundered 2 out, tailed off, 8th of 11, 28 3/4l behind Church Hall (12-2) at Lingfield 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Ulva Ferry (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Held up, under pressure 4 out, no impression, 5th of 9, dist behind Cap Horner (11-13) at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Goosen Maverick (IRE) 9-4fav (11-0) Towards rear, outpaced before 15th, tailed off and pulled up before last, at Southwell 3m 2f hcp (5) gs in Dec.
Bobonyx 7-2 (10-0) Tracked winner throughout, ridden before 3 out, kept on when pressed for 2nd next, no chance with winner between last 2, 2nd of 4, 8l behind Greyed A (11-12) at Fontwell 3m 2f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Goodnightirene (IRE) 33-1 (10-0) Not that fluent, in rear, mistake 4th, ridden 6th, behind 14th, pulled up before 4 out, at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
