tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, led 2 out, kept on run-in
with leader, pushed along and weakened before last
led, headed 2 out, kept on same pace
held up in rear, weakened before 3 out, tailed off
prominent, ridden after last, no extra
towards rear, pushed along before 3 out, tailed off, pulled up
held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, kept on to take 2nd place run-in, no chance with winner
BETTER GETALONG will be a short price here and can't be opposed. A dual bumper winner on heavy ground, he made a successful debut over timber here in October before a cracking effort in a Cheltenham Grade 2 the following month. This should be a nice warm-up before heading for better things. Graystown has run well in all three starts over timber, including on this track, and should be winning soon, while Le Frank looked as though this sort of trip would suit when making his hurdling debut at Hexham. The mare Off The Hook may prove best of the remainder with her allowance.
Better Getalong (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden after last (usual 2 out), stayed on to take 3rd inside final furlong, not pace to trouble front pair, 3rd of 5, 4 1/2l behind Slate House (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m (1) sft in Nov.
Graystown (IRE) 11-1 (10-12) Tracked leader until 2nd, stayed handy, led 7th, headed 2 out, weakened flat, 4th of 5, 12 1/4l behind Ravensdale (10-12) at Haydock 2m 3f (3) hvy in Dec.
Le Frank (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, outpaced before 2 out, struggling in 4th and no chance after, 4th of 10, 11 1/4l behind The Dubai Way (10-12) at Hexham 2m (4) hvy in Nov.
Le Gavroche (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Held up mid-division, ridden and outpaced over 1f out, 6th of 7, 9 3/4l behind Hangard (11-2) at Ayr 2m (6) sft in Oct.
Read'em And Weep (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Never better than mid-division, behind before 3 out, 8th of 11, dist behind Victoria Says (10-7) at Ayr 2m 4f mdn (5) hvy in Nov.
Up Helly Aa King 10-1 (11-4) Always towards rear, effort over 6f out, pulled up before 5f out, at Hexham 2m mdn (6) hvy in Mar.
Off The Hook (IRE) 80-1 (11-2) Mid-division, lost place and behind after 3rd, headway 3 out, ridden before next, stayed on to take modest 4th towards finish, no chance with leaders, 4th of 11, 13 1/2l behind Elusive Theatre (11-2) at Ayr 2m mdn (5) sft in Feb.
