held up in touch, headway to chase leaders approaching 8th, weakened 3 out
raced towards rear, headway 6th, soon tracking leader, led approaching 4 out, headed next, weakened last
led until approaching 4 out, led again next, not fluent 2 out, stayed on well under pressure
tracked leader, ridden and weakened 5 out, pulled up next
tracked leader, blundered and unseated rider 7th
held up in rear, blundered 3rd, never a factor
always in rear, mistake 4th, tailed off 7th
Nonrunner
Cool Friend ended a bout of seconditis over fences when beating subsequent winner Adams Island by 12 lengths at Aintree in October. But Jeremy Scott's mare has been rested since and may struggle to beat recent Fakenham winner MAMLOOK on these terms. There were only three runners in that race at the Norfolk track but the second, Tullamore Dew, has already proved himself a decent novice and David Pipe's Chester Cup winner can only improve for his comeback run. Dinarius wasn't beaten far on his second try over fences at Chepstow but, like John's Gift who was sixth on his chasing debut here in December, a place is probably the best connections can hope for today.
Mamlook (IRE) 6-5 (10-12) Keen hold tracking leader, led just before last, soon ridden, stayed on well, won at Fakenham 2m 5f nov chs (3) hvy in Jan beating Tullamore Dew (11-8) by 3/4l, 3 ran.
Ace High 9-4fav (11-6) Mid-division, ridden and outpaced approaching 2 out, 7th and beaten when mistake last, 7th of 11, 17l behind Buck Mulligan (11-6) at Wincanton 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Dinarius 20-1 (11-0) Led in start and given 10 lengths lead, 20 lengths ahead 2nd, hit next, reduced lead when stumbled badly 5 out, headed 2 out, dropped to 3rd when mistake last, no extra flat, 3rd of 5, 5l behind Tail Of The Bank (11-0) at Chepstow 2m beg chase (4) sft.
John's Gift 66-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, mistake 4 out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, well behind Wymott (11-7) at Exeter 3m nov chs (4) gs in Dec.
Jokers Legacy (IRE) 6-4 (10-12) In touch when fell 1st, in a race won by Massini Man (10-11) at Ffos Las 3m nov chs (3) gs, 5 ran.
Cool Friend (IRE) 6-1 (10-9) Left tracking leader 1st, left sole rival 5th, joined leader going best 3 out, shaken up to lead between last 2, soon clear, easily, won at Aintree 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs in Oct beating Adams Island (11-2) by 12l, 4 ran.
Iheardu (IRE) 33-1 (11-1) Mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden before 4 out, some headway in 4th 3 out, moderate 3rd entering straight, no impression leaders, kept on one pace, 3rd of 14, 33l behind Flat Out (11-9) at Punchestown 2m 4f beg chase hvy in Jan.
Ballydonagh (IRE) 3-1 (11-7) Chall gng wl 3 out; 4th when mist last; pu lame flat, in a race won by Yeabut (12-0) at Maisemore Park 3m ptp in Apr '08, 15 ran.
Secret Shared (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, hampered on inside on bend after 2nd, behind from next, tailed off, last of 8, well behind Washango (10-0) at Worcester 2m nov hdl (4) gf in May.
Solitary Palm (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) With leaders on outside, effort when pecked badly and lost place 4 out, 4 lengths 4th and one pace when fell next, in a race won by Canal Bank (11-3) at Exeter 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Dec, 7 ran.
