always towards the rear
in touch, ridden 7th, soon weakened and pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, hampered and lost place 6th
held up, headway after 7th, ridden to lead approaching last, stumbled and ran on
tracked leaders, weakened after 7th
mid-division, weakened 4 out
mid-division and keen, headway 6th, weakened approaching 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up, headway 7th to track leaders, ridden and weakened 3 out
held up, headway after 7th, ridden and weakened approaching next
keen, stumbled 1st, fell 4th
tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced 3 out, stayed on again to take 2nd flat
in touch, weakened approaching 7th, blundered 4 out
led, clear 5th, edged left after 2 out, soon headed, weakened flat
in touch, not fluent, weakened 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
Forest Pennant and Milan Deux Mille are sure to be popular but are likely to be short enough in the betting and a chance is taken with Wind Instrument. Forest Pennant has run a couple of sound races, most recently in defeat behind Lodge Lane, but will come into his own with a bit more time when faced with fences. Milan Deux Mille was sent off at a short price to win over hurdles last time having made rapid strides as a chaser last season. On the face of it, his performance was disappointing but it was his first run of the campaign and this longer trip will suit. He's respected but a chance is taken with Wind Instrument who has always been held in high regard. A dual bumper winner for Tom George, he has progressed with each of his two starts over hurdles, stepping up on the form of his Wincanton run when chasing home Aigle D'Or at Lingfield. He never threatened the impressive winner but Wind Instrument can take another step in the right direction by taking this heat.
Alfred's Tower 25-1 (11-4) Always last, 9th of 12, well behind Rodrigo Gonzales (11-10) at Kempton 2m 5f nov hdl (3) sft in Jan.
Aymard des Fieffes (FR) 100-1 (11-7) Slowly away, always behind, lost touch 7th, tailed off, 11th of 15, well behind Big Fella Thanks (11-7) at Chepstow 3m mdn hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Buckshaw (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 6f out, weakened 3f out, 7th of 13, 18l behind Kingston Lane (11-7) at Chepstow 2m nhf (5) sft in Dec.
Charlie Poole (IRE) 100-1 (11-6) Held up, keen early, behind from 6th, tailed off, 12th of 16, well behind Hold Em (11-6) at Hereford 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Forest Pennant (IRE) 5-2 (10-12) In touch, headway approaching 4th, chased leader after 6th, ridden behind leaders 3 out, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 17, 14l behind Lodge Lane (11-2) at Exeter 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Just Paddy 33-1 (11-0) Behind, jumped right 1st, mistake 3rd, never dangerous, 12th of 15, 24l behind Earth Crystal (11-3) at Ascot 2m 3f nov hdl (3) sft in Jan.
Lord Lescribaa (FR) 28-1 (10-12) Prominent, hung badly right after 4th, soon mid-division, headway 4 out, chased leader next, weakened 2 out, 7th of 15, 39l behind What A Friend (10-12) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Major Malarkey (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) Held up, effort after 10th, weakened after 3 out, 4th of 15, 40l behind Super Nick (10-12) at Hereford 3m 2f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Mapledurham (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) Held up, pushed along halfway, never dangerous, 8th of 9, 30l behind Nulato (11-2) at Bangor 2m 1f nhf (6) gs in Dec.
Milan Deux Mille (FR) 9-4fav (11-5) Held up, ridden and headway after 2 out, soon one pace, 5th of 11, 6l behind Oh Crick (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nov hcp hdl (3) gs in Jan.
Moment Of Magic (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Mid-division, ridden after 9th, soon weakened, 11th of 20, well behind Sound Accord (11-0) at Newbury 3m mdn hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Ocean Fou (FR) 50-1 (11-0) Mid-division, joined leader 5th, led 8th, ridden and headed 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 27l behind Longueville Manor (11-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gd in May.
Oscar Bay (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Mid-division, headway 5th, ridden after 6th, one pace, 4th of 17, 32l behind Lodge Lane (11-2) at Exeter 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Rock Alliance (IRE) 50-1 (10-13) Mid-division, headway 6th, ridden after 2 out, weakened, 6th of 16, 28l behind Hold Em (11-6) at Hereford 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Wind Instrument (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Led, ridden when headed 2 out, left poor 2nd last, 2nd of 11, 17l behind Aigle D'or (10-12) at Lingfield 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Gemgaballou (IRE) 66-1 (10-5) unseated rider in race won by Bertie May (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan, 14 ran.
