held up towards rear, never a factor, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
prominent, led 3rd, joined 2 out, headed last, stayed on same pace run-in
raced wide, mostly chased leader until 4 out, weakened next
held up and behind, smooth headway into 3rd on long run before 2 out, ridden and found nil between last 2, lost 3rd close home
held up towards rear and keen, good headway on long run before 2 out, kept on run-in, went 3rd close home
chased leaders, close 2nd 4 out, upsides 2 out, led last, ridden edged left and and kept on well run-in
never closer than mid-division, pushed along after 6th, weakened before 3 out
chased leaders, losing place when mistake 2 out, soon hung badly right and weakened, pulled up before last
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
led until 3rd, chased leaders, weakened quickly on long run after 3 out, tailed off and pulled up before the last
chased leaders, lost place 7th, brief rally before 2 out, soon beaten
NonRunner
William Henry represents last year’s winning yard but remains 8lb higher than when last successful and Monbeg Theatre is preferred returning to handicap company having been beaten in Grade 2 contests recently. Coeur Blimey is upped 7lb for winning at Hereford and Whatthebutlersaw is raised in class after going close over these hurdles. Mr Clarkson is not badly treated on past winning form as he returns to action but Rhythm Is A Dancer is another facing a more difficult task after scoring over track and trip and stablemate BLACK MISCHIEF makes more appeal. The latter continued his good progress when winning in this grade at Haydock and with a conditional’s allowance negating most of a 6lb rise, he gets a tentative vote in a competitive affair.
William Henry (IRE) 5-2fav (11-12) Jumped right, tracked leaders, lost place after 2nd, headway when mistake 8th, mistake and lost place next, stayed on bypassing omitted last, no impression, 4th of 12, 7 3/4l behind Moon Racer (10-11) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Monbeg Theatre (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Led, clear 6th until after 4 out, headed between last 2, soon lost 2nd and weakened, 4th of 7, 20 1/2l behind Unowhatimeanharry (11-0) at Newbury 3m (1) sft in Nov.
Coole Cody (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Led, headed 3rd, tracked leader until 8th, close up, blundered 11th, pulled up next, at Bangor 2m 4f (4) sft in Dec.
Black Mischief 6-1 (11-0) In touch, outpaced 4 out, rallied after next, chased leaders 2 out, soon ridden to challenge, ran on to lead towards finish, won at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (2) gd in Nov beating Mr Antolini (11-2) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Wait For Me (FR) 14-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, steady headway on outside approaching 3 out, plugged on, 7th of 14, 19 1/4l behind Jersey Bean (10-10) at Newbury 3m hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Padleyourowncanoe 12-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, pushed along and outpaced after 4 out, plugged on before last, 6th of 15, 18 3/4l behind Champ (11-6) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Fortunate George (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Chased leaders, lost place approaching 7th, beaten 4 out, 7th of 9, dist behind Eminent Poet (11-7) at Sandown 2m 7f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Mr Clarkson (IRE) 8-1 (11-11) Held up towards rear, not fluent 3 out, headway next, ridden and weakened before last, 7th of 11, 25 1/4l behind Two Swallows (10-11) at Cheltenham 3m hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Whatthebutlersaw (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Held up in 5th, headway after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, stayed on, went 2nd towards finish, unable to challenge winner, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Thahab Ifraj (10-3) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) gf in Nov.
Darcy Ward (FR) 20-1 (11-0) Chased leader until 3rd, chased leaders, lost place approaching 6th, never on terms after, 7th of 9, 30 1/2l behind Aaron Lad (10-11) at Market Rasen 2m 7f hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Rhythm Is A Dancer 6-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, led before 2 out, hard driven when challenged last, ran on well, won at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Dec beating Gulshanigans (11-8) by 2l, 8 ran.
Coeur Blimey (IRE) 7-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, lost place 3rd, rallied 4 out, soon every chance, led before 2 out, drew clear before last, comfortably, won at Hereford 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Dec beating Subcontinent (10-0) by 7l, 12 ran.
