mid-division, headway from 7th, ridden and one pace before last, rallied 100 yards out, no impression on leaders
held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, led 100 yards out, headed towards finish
led, not fluent and headed 2 out, soon beaten, tailed off
held up, mistake 6th, ridden 8th, outpaced 3 out, ran on well flat, went 4th towards finish
tracked leaders, not fluent 4th or 6th, mistake 7th, ridden and one pace before last
pressed leader, led 2 out, edged left flat, headed 100 yards out, rallied and led towards finish
held up in rear, outpaced 9th, tailed off before 2 out
held up in rear, fell 6th
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, 4th and one pace last, no extra flat
ULZANA'S RAID has stacks of ability and a heart to match. He'll probably be tried in pattern company before much longer as the handicapper has to keep bumping him up the ratings but he overcame a troubled passage to score over track and trip last month and can confirm that running today with fourth Sybarite and seventh Beau Lake, despite less favourable terms. The top weight may also have too much class for Knight Of Noir, who tries 3m for the first time, and Taunton winner Southfield Vic. First Fandango may be back in the handicapper's grip while Rolling Maul is tried in blinkers after losing his way. Be Bop Boru has a penalty for a routine victory at Fakenham but is still a pound out of the handicap, as is the out-of-form Bothy.
Ulzana's Raid (IRE) 9-2 (11-10) Mid-division, closed 7th, led last, hard pressed flat, headed final 75 yards, battled gamely to lead again close home, won at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gs in Dec beating Big Easy (11-7) by ns, 10 ran.
Knight Of Noir (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway after 4 out, challenged towards stands side last, ridden and every chance flat, kept on, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Morito Du Berlais (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (3) sft in Nov.
First Fandango 4-1 (10-7) With leader, under pressure after 3 out, mistake next, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 5, 5l behind Master Of The Hall (9-9) at Market Rasen 3m hcp hdl (2) sft in Nov.
Sybarite (FR) 8-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, outpaced after 3 out, ran on from last, finished well, just failed to get 3rd, 4th of 10, 1 3/4l behind Ulzana's Raid (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gs in Dec.
Southfield Vic (IRE) 2-5fav (10-12) Made virtually all, driven clear from 2 out, well in command when went right last, comfortably, won at Taunton 3m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec beating Rathlin Rose (10-12) by 13l, 9 ran.
Rolling Maul (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Mid-division, lost place 4 out, behind when ridden after next, weakened last, 8th of 10, 24l behind Morito Du Berlais (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (3) sft in Nov.
Midnight Oscar (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Held up towards rear, not fluent 4th, pushed along and struggling after 3 out, moderate progress past beaten horses run-in, never on terms, 6th of 10, 12l behind Batavir (11-4) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Dec.
Invicta Lake (IRE) 8-1 (10-4) Held up in rear, effort 2 out, outpaced and no impression when mistake last, 7th of 10, 5l behind Ulzana's Raid (11-10) at Cheltenham 3m hcp hdl (2) gs in Dec.
Bothy 8-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, outpaced and lost place approaching 2 out, no impression after, stayed on flat, 6th of 8, 12l behind Starluck (11-9) at Cheltenham 2m 1f (3) gs in Dec.
Be Bop Boru (IRE) 6-4fav (11-5) Held up, headway 3 out, soon led, ridden clear last, idled flat, won at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Dec beating Changeofluck (11-12) by 4l, 8 ran.
