mid-division, outpaced 3 out, never on terms
tracked leader to 6th, in touch, driven and outpaced after 3 out, stayed on to take 3rd near finish, no chance with front pair
always behind, struggling 5th, tailed off 3 out, pulled up next
tracked leaders, driven and outpaced after 3 out, soon beaten, pulled up before next
led, ridden and headed between last 2, no impression in clear 2nd from last
mid-division, lost place 4 out, behind from next, soon pulled up
slowly away, in rear, headway into mid-division after 3rd, struggling 8th, never near leaders
held up behind, steady headway on outside 3 out, went 2nd before next, led between last 2, sayed on well, drew clear from last
mid-division, reminder after 6th, chased leaders under pressure before 2 out, never on terms
in touch on inside, tracked leader from 6th, ridden and lost place before 2 out, soon no chance with front pair, lost 3rd near finish
towards rear on outside, struggling 7th, tailed off
chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened and pulled up before next
chased leaders, lost place after 3 out, soon ridden, weakened before last
Winning bumper Above Board landed a maiden hurdle at Carlisle last month and is entitled to improve though the runner-up has been beaten subsequently. FORTUNATE GEORGE won over the track and trip in April and didn't reappear until November. He looked ready to win again soon with a good run at Ascot last month and looks the one to be on. Kk Lexion is progressing nicely but takes a slight step-up in class and is 11lb higher than his victory at Southwell while Bradford Bridge makes his handicap debut against experienced rivals. Clondaw Bisto is another handicap debutant but he's already won a point and a bumper so could be well handicapped and Trans Express is just 5lb higher than his victory in this grade at Exeter, though tackles a longer trip.
Roadie Joe (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Led narrowly to before 3rd, in touch, lost place 6th, soon behind, tailed off 4 out, pulled up next, at Bangor 2m 1f (4) sft in Dec.
Wizards Bridge 25-1 (11-8) Mid-division, outpaced before 4 out, soon ridden and weakened, tailed off, 7th of 15, 37 1/4l behind Tobefair (11-3) at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Hadfield (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, pushed along after 4 out, headway before 3 out, blundered 2 out, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 8, 3 1/4l behind Super Sam (10-13) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Above Board (IRE) Evensfav (10-12) Soon tracked leader, led before 2 out, clear before last, kept on well, won at Carlisle 2m 3f (4) sft in Dec beating Coeur Blimey (10-12) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
Fortunate George (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Chased leaders on inside, pushed along and outpaced before 2 out, left modest 5th last, plugged on into 4th run-in, 4th of 12, 11l behind Kalondra (11-12) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Ossie's Dancer 16-1 (11-3) Mid-diviison, headway before 3 out, effort on outside next, no impression before last, soon weakened, 9th of 16, 20 1/4l behind Kilfinichen Bay (11-1) at Cartmel 2m 6f hcp (3) gd in Jul.
Agincourt Reef (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway 7th, led before 3 out, hung right flat, just held on, won at Wetherby 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Dec beating Solomn Grundy (11-12) by shd, 13 ran.
Kk Lexion (IRE) 7-2 (11-11) Held up towards rear, steady headway from 5th, 3rd 3 out, stayed on same pace flat, just failed to get 2nd, 3rd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Florrie Boy (12-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Milord (GER) 20-1 (11-9) Soon led, headed after 1st, prominent, led again before 3 out, headed last, no impression on winner flat, just held on to 2nd, 2nd of 14, 2 1/2l behind Florrie Boy (12-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Bradford Bridge (IRE) 7-2jfav (10-12) Tracked leaders, in 3rd, chased winner before last, kept on and no impression, 2nd of 12, 11l behind Acting Lass (10-12) at Hereford 2m 4f (4) sft in Nov.
Seven Nation Army (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Led and disputed, pushed along before 2 out, every chance when went right last, 3rd and one pace run-in, 3rd of 11, 3 3/4l behind Misterton (10-12) at Taunton 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Clondaw Bisto (IRE) 2-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, closed from 5th, 3rd when mistake 2 out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 15, 7 3/4l behind Perfect Pirate (10-12) at Towcester 2m 5f (4) gs in Dec.
Trans Express (IRE) 11-2 (10-5) Took keen hold, went 2nd on long run before 4th, led approaching and jumped left 3 out, urged along and in command last, ridden out, won at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Dec beating Rocklander (11-12) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
