close up, ridden after 6 out, gradually tailed off
mid-division, lost place 6 out and dropped to last, no chance thereafter, tailed off
chased leaders, ridden 5 out, pressed leader and not fluent 3 out, stayed on one pace
towards rear, some headway after 6 out, pushed along 5 out, weakened 3 out
towards rear, headway before 5 out, chased leaders 4 out, ridden 3 out, not pace to challenge
mid-division, headway 5 out, ridden before 3 out, went third 3 out, pressed leader last, stayed on strongly, just held
mid-division, niggled along after 10th, soon dropped to rear and tailed off
mid-division, ridden and weakened 4 out
chased leaders, pushed along 4 out, kept on one pace, weakened run-in
in rear, mistake 5 out, soon beaten and tailed off
made all, jumped well, ridden 4 out, pressed last, kept on stoutly, just held on
mid-division, mistake 12th, dropped to rear 6 out, soon pulled up
tracked leaders, slow jump 4 out, soon ridden, mistake 3 out, stayed on, no impression
A cracking renewal of this £26,000 handicap and Colin Tizzard will be hoping for a big run from Mister Malarky with the race named in honour of one of his stable stars. But EXELERATOR EXPRESS has come on in leaps and bounds and was fully deserving of a 9lb rise following his demolition job at Worcester when Fidux was only fourth. Many of his rivals are having a first run of the campaign or returning from a break but The Mighty Don won on his reappearance at this meeting last year and Irish Prophecy finished ahead of Cobra De Mai when third at Warwick last month. Kitty's Light was very unlucky in the bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown in April when ahead of stable companion Cap Du Nord but has harshly been raised 4lb. The latter holds Court Master on Newbury running last year but the Nicholls’ runners, Real Steel and Truckers Lodge, would have preferred softer ground.
Mister Malarky 12-1 (10-12) Mid-division, hampered and lost place 4th, behind when pulled up before 17th, at Aintree 4m 2f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Real Steel (FR) 28-1 (11-7) Never going that well in rear, behind 12th, pulled up before 3 out, at Aintree 3m 1f (1) gs in Apr.
Brave Eagle (IRE) 13-2 (11-7) Close up when fell 11th, at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp lst (1) gd in Nov.
Exelerator Express (FR) 3-1jfav (11-3) Ridden patiently towards rear, headway 11th, went third going well 4 out, smooth progress to lead last, nudged clear flat, easily, won at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (2) gd in Aug beating Pink Eyed Pedro (11-6) by 12l, 9 ran.
Fidux (FR) 6-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders 11th, made no impression from 2 out, 4th of 9, 15 3/4l behind Exelerator Express (11-3) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (2) gd in Aug.
Kitty's Light 9-1 (11-1) Well in rear, headway chasing leaders after 3 out, hampered next, staying on when badly hampered again towards finish, not recover, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 16, at Sandown 3m 5f hcp (1) gd in Apr.
The Mighty Don (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, pressed leader going well 4 out, led after 3 out, pushed along approaching 2 out, pressed when making bad mistake 2 out, rider was almost unseated when his saddle slipped and he lost his irons, carried on but no chance closing stages, 5th of 9, 8l behind Domaine De L'Isle (11-6) at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Full Back (FR) 11-8 (11-10) Pressed leader, led narrowly 11th, not fluent 13th and headed, led 4 out, pushed clear before 3 out where pecked on landing, not fluent 2 out, headed last, stayed on flat, 2nd of 3, nk behind Premier D'troice (10-12) at Fontwell 3m 2f (4) gf in Apr.
Irish Prophecy (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Held up just off the pace in 6th, headway chasing leaders 4 out, mistake and outpaced next, plugged on into modest 3rd inside final 150 yards, 3rd of 6, 5 3/4l behind Haul Away (10-8) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Cap Du Nord (FR) 30-1 (10-7) In rear, never near to challenge, 5th of 10, 27 1/2l behind Garkapstar (10-7) at Compiegne 2m 3f lst hvy in May.
Chirico Vallis (FR) 25-1 (10-10) Soon led, hit 4 out and headed, pushed and weakened before 3 out, kept on again late on, 5th of 15, 10 3/4l behind Landofsmiles (10-5) at Perth 3m hcp (2) gd in Jun.
Court Master (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, struggling from 5 out, well beaten 12th 3 out, 11th of 26, dist behind Livelovelaugh (11-0) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Cobra De Mai (FR) 13-2 (11-4) Chased winner, pushed along and lost 2nd approaching 2 out, ridden and one pace between last 2, awkward last, weakened into 4th inside final 150 yards, 4th of 6, 8 1/2l behind Haul Away (10-8) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Truckers Lodge (IRE) 25-1 (11-11) Prominent, led or disputed lead from 2nd until 10th, not fluent 17th, beaten from 3 out, 7th of 20, 7 1/2l behind Time To Get Up (10-10) at Uttoxeter 4m 2f hcp lst (1) gs in Mar.
