towards rear, lost touch 7th, pulled up before next
mid-division, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, effort approaching 3 out, weakened next
held up behind, some headway 3 out, ridden to chase leaders next, weakened last
led to 3rd, with leader, led again after 7th, headed 3 out, weakened from next
in touch, lost place 7th, soon behind
always prominent, went 2nd before 8th, led 3 out, ridden clear approaching last, stayed on well, comfortably
chased leaders, lost place 6th, soon behind, tailed off
prominent, outpaced 9th, headway to chase winner after 3 out until last, weakened flat
held up, headway after 3 out, kept on from next, no impression
held up behind, headway 3 out, 5th when blundered next, ridden and stayed on flat, never nearer
close up on outside, led 3rd, held after 7th, soon behind
in touch, outpaced 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on to go 2nd last, no chance with winner
In this stayers event the proven stamina of MINELLA BOYS should hold him in good stead despite and penalty and is taken to land this ahead of Banogue and Whatdoidowiththat. The selection won by 19 lengths on his latest outing over a longer trip, hence the lack of concern around the seven pound penalty, and it would appear ground conditions should be ideal. The form from his penultimate start, although ultimate disappointing for him, stands up really well and with a repeat of his last performance he'll be hard to beat. Banogue has been running with credit over shorter trips and steps up to this marathon distance for the first time but he should just stay. He always runs well after an absence and with his yard in such good form he has to be added to calculations. Whatdoidowiththat is hard to know what to do with. His last time out victory came as a complete surprise even to connections but given the fact he's running well he shouldn't be dismissed. Lockstown and Political Paddy have enough about them to be in the mix too but it looks good for a two time for Minella Boys.
Oniz Tiptoes (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, outpaced 9th, ridden 3 out, weakened next, 4th of 8, 18l behind Water Taxi (11-8) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Aug.
Political Paddy 9-1 (10-3) Mid-division, mistake and lost place 5th, no danger after, last of 11, well behind Harmony Brig (11-0) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) sft.
Orchard King (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 9th of 15, 41l behind Ballydub (11-2) at Newbury 2m 5f mdn hdl (3) sft in Mar.
Banoge (IRE) 3-1 (11-2) Held up, steady headway 11th, went 2nd between last 2, ridden and stayed on well to lead near finish, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f mdn chs (4) gs in Nov beating Ragador (10-9) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Newman Des Plages (FR) 16-1 (10-3) In rear, headway 3 out, not reach leaders, 8th of 17, 20l behind Greenbelt (10-6) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs.
Peters Star (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, reminders 6th, soon outpaced, weakened 3 out, 7th of 11, 39l behind Picaroon (11-3) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Dec.
Minella Boys (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) In touch, led before 9th, drew clear after 3 out, driven out, won at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) hvy beating Polobury (10-9) by 19l, 12 ran.
Keene Spirit 25-1 (10-12) Mid-division, outpaced 7th, modest 4th when blundered 2 out, 5th of 10, 45l behind Fabalu (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 6f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Whatdoidowiththat 6-1 (10-9) Chased leader, led approaching 8th, ridden along 3 out, hard ridden and under pressure 2 out until just held on towards finish, won at Catterick 3m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Dec beating Kinfayre Boy (10-8) by a ns, 13 ran.
Ten Carat 22-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, headway 8th, weakened 3 out, 7th of 15, 40l behind Festival King (10-4) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Menelaus 10-1 (10-11) Reminders after 3rd, always in rear, 10th of 15, well behind Prince of Persia (11-12) at Huntingdon 3m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Clear The Way (IRE) 15-2 (11-0) Behind until kept on from 2 out, never nearer, 7th of 12, 19l behind Cruise Director (11-7) at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Dec.
Lockstown 11-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, every chance 3 out, ridden and soon one pace, 3rd of 15, 12l behind Percutant (11-7) at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
