chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened
led, not fluent 1st, ridden 8th, headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened
behind, lost touch 7th, no impression
held up towards rear, ridden and weakened 3 out, pulled up before last
towards rear, mistake 5th, weakened 7th
pulled hard and held up in mid-division, ridden and weakened after 7th, pulled up before 2 out
held up in mid-division, pecked badly 2nd, headway 3 out, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace from last
held up towards rear and jumped slowly early, good headway after 3 out, chased leaders 2 out, ridden after last, ran on to go 3rd close home
held up in touch, headway and chased leader 3 out, ridden and every chance 2 out, ran on, not pace of winner
chased leader, led on bit approaching 2 out, ridden 2 out, hit last, pushed out comfortably
Nonrunner
The short list here consists of So Now, Sonoma and Macmar, with the vote going to So Now. Given the nature of this race, the Paul Nicholls-trained Irish point-to-point winner, So Now, has to be a serious contender. The betting should tell us more. Sonoma scored at Fontwell last time and stays well and is respected, while Macmar has also won here and may well have needed his most recent run, which should have put him right for today. Finally, Mossville has also won in the pointing fields and, given that she gets the mares' allowance, could yet go well, but bumper winner Shakerattleandroll has lost his way of late, it would seem. Overall, though, the selection is So Now.
Macmar (FR) 15-8fav (11-6) Tracked leaders until weakened quickly 7th and pulled up 3 out in race won by Grave Doubts (11-12) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf, 7 ran.
Sonoma (IRE) 10-1 (10-5) Led to 2nd, joined leader 4th, led 7th, ridden approaching 8th, hard ridden last, ran on flat, just held on, won at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gf in Sept beating General Grey (10-12) by a hd, 5 ran.
Ballykiln (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up 2 out in race won by Kaldouas (11-0) at Windsor 2m 4f nh mdn hdl (E) gs in Dec, 14 ran.
National Diploma (IRE) (12-0) Made most, easily, won at Skibbereen 3m ire ptp gd in Mar beating Mr Anderson (12-0) by 6l, 12 ran.
Shakerattleandroll (IRE) 16-1 (10-8) Always behind, 10th of 13, well behind Fairlight Express (10-11) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gf in Sept.
So Now (IRE) (12-0) won at Inch 3m ire ptp gd in Apr beating Out Of Touch (12-0) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
Supreme Copper (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Held up behind, mistake 1st, headway after 5th, staying on when hit 3 out, no further impression, 6th of 13, 18l behind Vaughan (11-2) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn hdl (5) gf in May.
Theatre Groom (USA) 11-4 (10-12) Held up, headway 9th, switched right and chased winner approaching 2 out, hit last, edged left flat, ran on, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Bob Mountain (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Sept.
