reluctant to jump off, refused 1st
keen towards rear, never involved
made virtually all, ridden and strongly pressed last, stayed on strongly run-in, driven out
reluctant to jump off, refused 1st
chased leaders, outpaced before last, kept on again run-in
keen, held up in last pair, modest 6th 3 out, never on terms
held up towards rear, went left 5th, tailed off when blundered 3 out, blundered last
with winner, jumped slowly 4th, pushed along before 2 out, ridden and every chance last, kept on same pace run-in, lost 2nd towards finish
veered badly left and unseated rider after start
tracked leaders, challenged and wandered approaching last, edged left and stayed on run-in, went 2nd towards finish
chased leaders, weakened last
took keen hold, always towards rear, tailed off when jumped left final 2
Enola Gay should probably have done better in a handicap at Ascot last time but this is a drop in class and he has to be respected. Teescomponents Lad wasn’t beaten far on his first try over hurdles at Hexham and has been placed here in a bumper but Big Thunder hasn’t been seen in more than a year and might need this. SWASHBUCKLE is an interesting newcomer given he is rated 90 on the Flat and has won over 1m6f. Now with the in-form Donald McCain, he’s preferred to course and distance fourth Young Tom and the others.
Big Thunder 14-1 (11-0) Mid-division on outside, headway after 4 out, ridden after next, chased winner before last, kept on same pace, never on terms, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 11, 4 1/4l behind Miss Maiden Over (10-7) at Ayr 2m 4f mdn (5) sft in Nov.
Dutch Artist (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 4th, chased leaders 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 12, 26 1/2l behind Blottos (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Enola Gay (FR) 13-2 (11-11) In touch, driven and outpaced 3 out, weakened before next, 11th of 15, 32 1/4l behind Brown Bear (10-13) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Frozon 100-1 (10-12) Always behind, mistake 3rd, tailed off from 4 out, 9th of 10, dist behind Countister (10-5) at Doncaster 2m 1f (3) gd in Dec.
Gang Warfare 66-1 (10-12) Towards rear, some late headway, never on terms, 5th of 12, dist behind Shoal Bay (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f mdn (4) gd in Nov.
Grecian King 200-1 (10-12) Always behind, last of 12, dist behind Super Sid (10-12) at Southwell 2m mdn (5) sft in Dec.
Lord Franklin 20-1 (9-4) Led after 2f, headed 5f out, tracked leader until pushed along over 3f out, weakened 2f out, 9th of 14, 24 1/4l behind Mister Showman (9-2) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Oct.
Swashbuckle 40-1 (8-11) Led, headed 8f out, driven and lost place quickly over 4f out, soon behind, 25th of 34, dist behind Withhold (8-8) at Newmarket 2m 2f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Tab Hogarth (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Behind, under pressure 4f out, never dangerous, 5th of 9, 35 1/4l behind Theatre Legend (11-9) at Sedgefield 2m 1f (6) sft in Dec.
Teescomponents Lad 3-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway chasing leaders 5th, went 2nd before the last, soon every chance until the last, kept on run-in, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind The Dubai Way (10-12) at Hexham 2m (4) hvy in Nov.
Young Tom 40-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, headway before 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 13, 14 1/4l behind Rockalzaro (10-12) at Catterick 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Millie The Minx (IRE) 25-1 (10-5) Mid-division, outpaced 4f out, never near leaders, 6th of 11, dist behind Cuckoo's Calling (10-12) at Carlisle 1m 6f (5) sft in Nov.
