tracked leaders, headway to lead 3 out, driven clear from last, stayed on well
held up mid-division, driven to chase leaders 3 out, soon ridden, went 2nd and every chance between last 2, kept on same pace, held flat
raced keenly, held up behind, headway to chase leaders when hampered 3 out, soon outpaced, never able to challenge
held up towards rear, outpaced 4 out, weakened before next, tailed off
tracked leaders, lost place after 4 out, weakened next, tailed off
mid-division on outside, lost place and behind from 5th, ridden and weakened before 3 out, tailed off
held, up towards rear, headway to chase leaders before 3 out, soon driven and one pace, never on terms, mistake last
always prominent on inside, challenged 3 out, ridden before next, no extra in 3rd approaching last
mid-division, in touch 4 out, ridden and weakened before next, tailed off
led narrowly 1st, mistake next, driven and headed when fell 3 out
held up towards rear on inside, headway to chase before 3 out, one pace next, soon ridden, never on terms
led to 1st, with leader, lost place when ridden after 4 out, weakened before next, tailed off
Slanelough wasn’t disgraced in a decent handicap at Cheltenham after winning at Carlisle and is back in the right grade but HUNTSMAN SON (NAP) appears to be improving at a rate of knots. Though raised 7lb for a facile victory at Market Rasen, James Bowen’s claim takes care of most of that and he’ll be hard to beat. Manny Owens was well ridden by Jonjo O’Neill Junior over track and trip two weeks ago. He had plenty in hand at the finish so a 6lb rise shouldn’t prevent another good run and he can again beat third Jack Lamb. Schnabel and David's Phoebe are other recent winners but Pulp Fiction will need to improve on a couple of placed efforts to open his account in this.
Huntsman Son (IRE) 2-1fav (11-10) Close up, chased leader 6th, led between 3 out and 2 out, soon clear, ran on, won at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Dec beating Stick To The Plan (12-3) by 15l, 8 ran.
Slanelough (IRE) 20-1 (11-6) In touch, driven and lost place after 2 out, soon outpaced, ridden and kept on under pressure from last, never on terms, 7th of 19, 17 1/2l behind Magic Dancer (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Pulp Fiction (IRE) 11-4 (10-12) Keen close up, tracked leaders 3 out, soon ridden, kept on one pace, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Don't Ask (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f (4) sft in Dec.
Stonecoldsoba 25-1 (11-12) Took keen hold, chased leaders, weakened before 2 out, tailed off, blundered last, 8th of 9, dist behind Magic Dancer (11-11) at Kempton 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
David's Phoebe (IRE) 13-2 (11-5) Tracked leader, ridden to lead before 2 out, ran a little green in front, clear last 100 yards, stayed on well, won at Worcester 2m hcp (4) sft in Nov beating Green Or Black (11-6) by 3 3/4l, 5 ran.
Mackie Dee (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Tracked winner to 5 out, weakened from 3 out, 3rd of 7, dist behind Marten (10-12) at Southwell 2m 4f (4) gd in Nov.
Manny Owens (IRE) 2-1fav (10-9) Held up towards rear, headway going well 2 out, switched left before last, led flat, soon clear, easily, won at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Dec beating Peggies Venture (11-7) by 4 1/2l, 11 ran.
Schnabel (IRE) 10-11fav (11-12) Towards rear, not much on bend before 7th, headway from 4 out, led next, soon pressed, kept on well from last, won at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Dec beating Parlour Maid (11-10) by 4l, 6 ran.
Safe Harbour (IRE) 14-1 (11-5) Chased leaders in 4th, jumped right 5th, outpaced in 3rd after 3 out, not fluent when well held next, 3rd of 8, 19 1/4l behind Not Another Muddle (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 3f (4) sft in Jan.
Jack Lamb 16-1 (10-6) Held up in mid-division on outside, headway before 7th, led 2 out, headed flat, not pace of winner, 3rd of 11, 5 3/4l behind Manny Owens (10-9) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Mr Mafia (IRE) 22-1 (11-6) Behind, outpaced after 3 out, never a threat, 13th of 15, dist behind Cougar Kid (11-0) at Hereford 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Rose Tree (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) Held up, ridden 3 out, kept on to go moderate 3rd flat, 3rd of 10, 37l behind Silver Concorde (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 3f mdn (4) gd in Nov.
