mid-division, headway 8th, effort after 3 out, one pace from next
led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, kept on same pace
mid-division until 8th, weakened 11th, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, led approaching 2 out, stayed on well, ridden out
always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up after 3 out
mid-division, headway 11th, challenged 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on
mid-division, headway 4th, join leader next, ridden after 11th, weakened after 3 out
mistake 3rd, always towards rear
in touch, went 3rd at the 11th, soon ridden, weakened after 3 out
always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up after 3 out
always behind, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
in touch, ridden after 11th, one pace from next
Nonrunner
In a competitive finale, Minella Tipperary gets the call ahead of Saddlers Cloth and Earnest. Starting at the top of the weights and Hill Fort Timmy's Taunton run over a shorter trip last time from a two-pounds lower mark affords him respect today. It was a promising effort from The King Of Angels to win a novice event over two-and-a-half miles last time and he has to be respected too. Minella Tipperary was disappointing on soft going last time but had looked decent prior to that and should not be written off just yet; he's far too lightly raced for that. Krismas Kracker is frustrating in that he has plenty of ability and travels well, but his finishing kick sometimes lacks fizz, although maybe today's longer trip will help him. Lothian Falcon ended last season on a high and has continued in that vein this season; he too is respected, while the form of Saddlers Cloth's third to Rosita Bay last time looks pretty solid and, lightly raced, we reckon he can play his part today. Raised four pounds for his Huntingdon win, Delightful Cliche still has to be given some thought, as does Earnest, who has been raised five pounds for a very solid Worcester effort and who could improve again for the step up in trip. Finally, Lord Of Adventure would hold claims on his form of a year ago but, for the selection, we will stick with Minella Tipperary.
Madiba 7-2jt-fav (11-12) Mid-division, stayed on approaching last, went 2nd run-in, not reach winner, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Almizan (11-9) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Nov.
Hill Forts Timmy 25-1 (10-13) Held up, headway 3 out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 16, 8l behind Ellway Prospect (11-0) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd in Nov.
Investment Wings (IRE) 22-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, ridden and weakened after 4 out, last of 10, well behind Rosita Bay (10-10) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft.
The King of Angels (IRE) 2-1fav (10-12) In touch, left in narrow lead 2 out, kept on gamely, won at Ascot 2m 3f nh nov hdl (3) gs in Nov beating Lord Gee (10-12) by 2l, 7 ran.
Minella Tipperary (IRE) 13-8fav (11-5) Chased leader, led after 8th, ridden and headway 3 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 13, 14l behind Abragante (11-3) at Exeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft.
Krismas Cracker 2-1fav (11-10) Held up , headway 7th, challenged winner 3 out, no extra close home, 2nd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Hello It's Me (10-10) at Ludlow 2m 5f amt hcp hdl (4) gs.
Lothian Falcon 8-1 (11-0) In rear, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, soon pressing winner, one pace, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Piraeus (11-2) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
Nudge And Nurdle (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Held up, pushed long after 7th, no chance when jumped left 2 out, tailed off, 9th of 12, well behind Cousin Nicky (11-7) at Newbury 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) hvy in Nov.
Saddlers Cloth (IRE) 9-1 (9-9) Held up, headway 6th, led before 9th, headed approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 12, 6l behind Rosita Bay (10-5) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Delightful Cliche 7-1 (11-7) Held up in touch, keen hold, headway after 8th, led 3 out, ridden and just held on, won at Huntingdon 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Nov beating Fort Ord (11-5) by a nk, 9 ran.
Earnest (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Always prominent, chased winner from 6th, ridden from 3 out, no impression after last, 2nd of 15, 1 1/2l behind Granite Man (11-10) at Worcester 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Jun.
Lord of Adventure (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) In touch, mistake 6th, soon behind, 13th of 18, well behind Malko De Beaumont (11-4) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs.
Coeur d'Alene 13-2 (10-11) Held up, ridden and outpaced 4 out, kept on again approaching last, 3rd of 8, 22l behind Letitia's Loss (11-3) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
Khadija 40-1 (10-8) Held up, headway when jumped left 7th, weakening when blundered 3 out, 5th of 16, 16l behind Hello It's Me (10-10) at Ludlow 2m 5f amt hcp hdl (4) gs.
Sintos 100-1 (10-11) Chased leaders until weakened after 8th, 9th of 16, 42l behind Barbers Shop (11-0) at Ascot 2m 6f nh mdn hdl (3) gd.
