chased leaders in 3rd, quickly lost place before 9th, pulled up
in rear, outpaced from 12th, headway before 4 out, went 3rd before 2 out, soon chased leader, stayed on to lead towards finish
held up towards rear, headway 5 out, weakened from 3 out
led, headed 7th, mistake 8th, led before 11th, headed 4 out, weakened from 2 out
held up towards rear, headway 13th, blundered badly 5 out, no impression after 5 out
chased leader reminders before 4th and blundered, soon struggling, pulled up
held up mid-division, led 7th, headed before 11th, mistake 6 out, led 4 out, looked well in command 2 out, tired run-in, headed towards finish
MANSONIEN L'AS hasn't raced since finishing second over 4m at Hexham last March but the lack of a recent run is rarely a concern for one from his yard so the nine-year-old gets the nod with none of his rivals boasting any recent worthwhile form. Gibbstown was beaten a long way when second to Newton Thistle at Towcester last month while Heez A Steel and Viking Rebel aren't getting any younger. Cottiers Den took a backward step at Wetherby on Boxing Day and The Shrimp may need to drop a few pounds.
Heez A Steel (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) in a race won by Debt To Society (11-1) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp 0-100 (5) sft in Nov, 7 ran.
Gibbstown (IRE) 14-1 (11-8) Held up behind, some headway under pressure 3 out, plugged on from next, left 3rd at last, took remote 2nd near finish, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 9, well behind Newton Thistle (10-3) at Towcester 3m hcp 0-100 (5) sft in Dec.
Mansonien L'as (FR) 13-2 (11-1) Tracked leader, led 7th, headed 8th, challenged 2 out, led before last, headed soon after, kept on, 2nd of 7, 7l behind Boris The Blade (9-13) at Hexham 4m hcp ch 0-110 (4) sft in Mar.
Viking Rebel (IRE) 8-1 (9-12) Always in rear, pushed along with a circuit to go, ridden 10th, soon tailed off, last of 4, well behind Basford Ben (9-11) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-120 (4) hvy in Dec.
The Shrimp (IRE) 4-1fav (10-13) Held up in rear, hampered 3rd, struggling from 11th, 8th of 11, 49l behind Presenting Junior (11-6) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-100 (5) gs in Jun.
Cottiers Den (IRE) 4-1 (10-2) In touch until and ridden and weakened 8th, 5th of 7, well behind Itstimeforapint (10-12) at Wetherby 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Dec.
Trouble In Paris (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Chased leaders in 3rd, challenged 5 out, outpced before next, kept on, 4th of 7, 25l behind Benefit In Kind (10-3) at Musselburgh 3m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Dec.
