towards rear after 2nd, mistake 12th, ridden and well beaten 4 out, mistake last
mid-division, headway 4th, led before 2 out, clear final 100 yards, stayed on well
in rear, headway after 12th, weakening when mistake 3 out
towards rear, last when blundered 11th, pulled up before 12th
chased leaders, hit 3rd and lost place, ridden and struggling 4 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway 10th, went 3rd last, stayed on same pace
in rear, slow 2nd, closed 9th, driven after 3 out, no extra last
chased leaders, lost place 10th, well beaten from 4 out
jumped right, led, soon clear, reduced lead after 6th, driven and headed before 2 out, stayed on same pace
chased leader, pecked 11th, every chance 2 out, no impression on winner final 150 yards
NonRunner
A tricky opener in which most would have some sort of chance. Lac Sacre had Alberto’s Dream back in fifth when scoring at Ffos Las last month but the latter will strip fitter here and is 9lb better off. Alminar was third at Ffos Las on his reappearance but Hugo’s Reflection was all out to win at Fontwell and his best form is over shorter. Big Meadow won over course and distance in November and is only 3lb higher but has become unreliable and was more than seven lengths behind THE OGLE GOGLE MAN (NAP) at Uttoxeter recently. Charlie Mann’s gelding looks ready to get his head back in front on his favourite surface with Adherence seemingly best at Taunton. On The Road could be a danger if putting in a clear round.
Lac Sacre (FR) 4-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, led 4 out, clear next, soon ridden, unchallenged after, stayed on well, easily, won at Ffos Las 3m 1f hcp (4) hvy in Dec beating Tudors Treasure (11-5) by 12l, 6 ran.
Alminar (IRE) 9-2 (11-9) Tracked leader, led narrowly 10th, blundered and headed 4 out, soon ridden and one pace, rallied closing stages, just failed for 2nd, 3rd of 9, 8l behind Horatio Hornblower (11-12) at Ffos Las 3m hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Alberto's Dream 20-1 (12-0) Held up in last pair, headway when mistake 4 out, soon driven and one pace, never reached leaders, weakened before last, 5th of 6, 21l behind Lac Sacre (11-7) at Ffos Las 3m 1f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Hugo's Reflection (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Chased leaders, went 2nd at 10th, led 2 out, narrowly headed at the last, rallied gamely to lead again towards finish, won at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Mortens Leam (12-0) by 1l, 7 ran.
The Ogle Gogle Man (IRE) 9-2 (12-1) Held up in mid-division, closed 4th, mistake 12th, no impression on winner 2 out, went 2nd last, 2nd of 9, 11l behind Seaston Spirit (12-1) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
On The Road (IRE) 11-2 (12-1) Held up in mid-division, not fluent 4th, headway when mistake and unseated rider 11th, at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Adherence 9-4fav (12-0) Held up behind when fell 1st, at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Silent Steps (IRE) 8-1 (12-1) Tracked leaders until 7th, close up, mistake 17th, ridden next, weakened 4 out, pulled up 2 out, at Fakenham 3m 5f hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Big Meadow (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Prominent until 2nd, chased leaders, lost place 4th, went modest 4th from 3 out, 4th of 9, 18 1/2l behind Seaston Spirit (12-1) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Troed Y Melin (IRE) 6-1 (11-8) Chasing leaders when unseated rider on 1st turn before 1st fence, at Taunton 3m 2f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Pres (IRE) 5-1 (10-8) Behind, headway and in touch after 8th, led after 12th to 14th, pushed along and lost place next, behind from 4 out, 8th of 11, 28l behind Worthy Farm (11-12) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
