led, headed 3rd, remained prominent, ridden 2 out, weakened approaching last
close up, ridden 2 out, kept on same pace
in rear, headway and close up 4th, led next, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on one pace
always prominent, led 2 out, 3 lengths clear next, edged left and ridden out
towards rear, ridden and some headway 2 out, not trouble leaders
prominent, lost place 4th, behind 4 out, tailed off
towards rear, ridden 3 out, soon struggling and pulled up next
keen prominent 2nd, led next, headed 5th, remained prominent, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
held up towards rear, headway to track leaders 4 out, ridden to chase winner at last, kept on one pace
keen in touch, ridden 3 out, weakened next
Versatility never really threatened on his comeback at Kempton but looks fairly treated on his handicap debut. Saint De Reve won easily at Wincanton but the handicapper has been less generous with the top weight. Mr Muldoon should handle conditions and his yard is in cracking form but he was beaten off a lower mark in a similar race at Aintree two runs ago. Kozier is the least exposed while Fortunate George has slipped down the weights but is still not firing on all cylinders. ASHFIELD PADDY showed a very willing attitude to get off the mark under Rules at Haydock and may well be capable of defying a 5lb rise with Jonjo O’Neill Jr taking over the reins. Aintree My Dream is lightly-raced for his age but likely to find at least a couple too good again.
Saint De Reve (FR) 5-4fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, not fluent 8th, led before 2 out, ran on well, won at Wincanton 2m 5f (4) gs in Nov beating Cage Of Fear (10-12) by 13l, 12 ran.
Versatility 7-4fav (11-5) Chased leaders, pushed along and one pace in 3rd after 3 out, hit 2 out, kept on from last, 3rd of 10, 3 1/4l behind Boss Man Fred (10-12) at Kempton 2m 5f (4) gd in Nov.
Aintree My Dream (FR) 20-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, outpaced 3 out, rallied next, stayed on into 3rd before last, never a threat, 3rd of 8, 8 1/2l behind Lord Of The Island (11-9) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Mr Muldoon (IRE) 2-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, pushed along briefly after 7th, went 2nd from 3 out, soon ridden, no impression on winner well before last, 2nd of 3, 10l behind Big Shark (11-4) at Hereford 3m 2f (4) sft in Nov.
Bootlegger (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Held up on inside, effort from 11th, 6 lengths 5th when mistake 4 out, soon weakened, last of 9, dist behind Know The Score (10-11) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Invincible Cave (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Always behind, 15th of 18, dist behind Champers On Ice (11-12) at Newbury 3m hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Alcock And Brown (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) Mid-division, weakened 4 out, completely tailed off, last of 15, dist behind Scaramanga (12-0) at Wincanton 1m 7f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Fortunate George (IRE) 8-1 (10-10) Held up behind, ridden and headway under pressure before 2 out, stayed on into modest 3rd flat, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 11, 15 3/4l behind Go Whatever (10-6) at Sandown 2m 7f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Ashfield Paddy (IRE) 4-1jfav (12-1) Held up in rear, headway on outside 7th, led just before 3 out, mistake last, driven out, won at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Teescomponentstrig (11-9) by 1l, 9 ran.
Kozier (GER) 10-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear of mid-division on inside, outpaced after 4 out, rallied and went 2nd next, well held when mistake last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 3 1/2l behind Eclair Surf (10-12) at Exeter 2m 6f (4) sft in Nov.
