towards rear, ridden and gradually faded after 2 out
rear mid-division, pushed along after 3 out, well held before 2 out
mid-division, ridden home turn, went 3rd 2 out, kept on but not pace to challenge
in rear, in touch when mistake and unseated rider 3 out
handy, ridden after 2 out, stayed on one pace, no impression
prominent, led narrowly 4th, headed and pushed along after 3 out, rallied and led again 2 out, ridden before last, 2 lengths ahead and jumped right final flight, kept on well but headed closing stages
led, remained close up 4th, led after 3 out, ridden before 2 out and soon headed, not fluent 2 out, 2 lengths down last, stayed on gamely to lead final strides, all out
chased front rank, gradually faded from 2 out, well held when mistake last
towards rear, lost touch from before 7th, tailed off and pulled up
Paul Nicholls last won this in 2017 though that was his yard’s fifth consecutive victory. He runs MR GLASS, who was progressing well until finding life tough in the Grade 1 Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown last month. He gets another chance handicapping for the first time today. Master Debonair gave notice of a big run when second at Taunton last time while Trincomalee drops down in trip after scoring at Uttoxeter. Jepeck scored over track and trip last month while Stellar Magic never recovered from a blunder at Ascot but is not out of this with a clear round. Solwara One needs to get his jumping together while Monte Cristo continues to struggle.
Monte Cristo (FR) 25-1 (11-7) Mid-division, ridden home turn, soon beaten and eased, 12th of 19, 36 3/4l behind Cobblers Dream (10-10) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp lst (1) sft in Jan.
Trincomalee 3-1jfav (11-3) Held up in chasing group, closed after 4 out, went 2nd 3 out, challenging when mistake 2 out and last, switched right flat, rallied to lead close home, won at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (2) gd in Oct beating Thunderstruck (10-9) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Stellar Magic (IRE) 6-1 (11-6) Held up just off the pace in mid-division, pushed along before 4 out, weakened quickly, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Solwara One (IRE) 7-2 (11-8) Towards rear, fell 4th, at Doncaster 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Master Debonair 8-1 (11-1) Led at good gallop, pushed along before 2 out, not fluent 2 out, pressed and ridden before last, headed 110 yards out on run-in, kept on but no extra, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Dorking Boy (10-4) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (2) gs in Jan.
Jepeck (IRE) 11-1 (11-10) Led, ridden and joined 2 out, headed approaching next, kept on one pace, 3rd of 8, 8 3/4l behind Imphal (10-7) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (3) gs in Jan.
Sizable Sam 9-2 (11-12) Raced keenly, chased leader, led briefly 2nd, pressed leader, in front again 8th until flattened 3 out and headed, chased leader until ridden to lead again before 2 out, headed and not pace of winner last, weakened and lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 11, 4l behind Tip Top Cat (11-2) at Taunton 3m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Mr Glass (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Disputed 2nd until after 3 out, pushed along and well held in 3rd before next, 3rd of 6, 18 1/2l behind Constitution Hill (11-7) at Sandown 2m (1) hvy in Jan.
Corinto (IRE) 9-1 (11-9) Held up, headway 3 out, pressed leader next, led last, ridden out, won at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Dec beating Big Penny (11-12) by 5l, 7 ran.
Ask The Doc (IRE) 5-6fav (11-5) Tracked leader, pushed along and dropped to 3rd under 3 out, outpaced under 2 out, kept on same pace and dropped to 4th close home, 4th of 5, 10 1/2l behind High Moon (11-5) at Catterick 2m 3f (4) sft in Jan.
