close up when field came into view 6th, led narrowly when came into view again briefly 4 out, headed and no chance with winner before next, fell
behind when field came into view 6th, lost touch when field came into view again 4 out, pulled up
mid-division when field came into view 6th, chased leaders when came back into view again briefly 4 out, went 2nd next, no chance with winner
mid-division when field came into view 6th, lost touch when field came into view again briefly 4 out, pulled up
leader when field came into view 6th, headed when field came back into view briefly 4 out, soon outpaced, no chance in 3rd after
towards rear when field came into view 6th, chased leaders when came back into view briefly 4 out, weakened next, tailed off
close up when field came into view 6th, led and clear when came back into view 3 out, unchallenged after (no time taken, poor visibility)
in rear when field came into view 6th, lost touch when field came back into view briefly 4 out, plugged on into modest 4th from next
WALK IN THE MILL has taken a bit of time to reach his peak since arriving from France but he looked much more like the finished article when carrying a big weight to victory at Exeter in November and with further progress likely can shrug off a 5lb rise. Fox Appeal, who is rated 149 over hurdles, was on a 16lb lower mark when scoring comfortably over fences at Ludlow last month and though hit with an 11lb hike it will be a surprise if he doesn't again get involved in the shake-up. Some Buckle has been aimed high after his victory at Haydock in March and will appreciate this slight drop in class, a remark that also applies to Ballygarvey, though the latter hasn't run for over a year. Paul Nicholls' Orbasa has been slightly disappointing since making a successful debut for the yard in February but still has plenty of time on his side and it would be no surprise to see him get involved.
Fox Appeal (IRE) 4-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, led 5 out, jumped right 2 out, kept on well under pressure, won at Ludlow 3m hcp (3) gs in Dec beating Calett Mad (11-2) by 5l, 15 ran.
Some Buckle (IRE) 5-1 (10-5) Held up in touch, headway chasing leaders before 4 out, weakened before next, 7th of 9, 14 1/4l behind Sire De Grugy (11-12) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Orbasa (FR) 8-1 (11-7) Held up in mid-division, headway tracking leaders 11th, pushed along and struggling in 6th place after 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 15, 26 1/4l behind Poker School (10-3) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Crookstown (IRE) 12-1 (11-11) Keen, tracked leader, ridden to chase winner 2 out, kept on one pace, pressed for 2nd near finish, 2nd of 9, 3l behind Chic Theatre (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Ballygarvey (FR) 5-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, not fluent 3rd, led 8th, not fluent 9th or 10th, headed 3 out, no impression on winner from 2 out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 9, 10l behind Pepite Rose (11-12) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Fergal Mael Duin 6-1cfav (10-10) Mid-division, headway when hit 13th, outpaced 5 out, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 9th of 14, dist behind Lamb Or Cod (10-11) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) gd in Dec.
Walk In The Mill (FR) 5-2jfav (11-10) Held up towards rear, headway before 6 out to chase leaders, ridden to lead before 4 out, kept on, won at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in Nov beating After Hours (11-1) by 3 1/4l, 6 ran.
Aerlite Supreme (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Held up in mid-division leaving start, 9th when in view after 14th, no impression, 8th of 16, dist behind Yala Enki (11-12) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
