tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, landed awkwardly and led next, ridden flat, headed towards finish
with leader, led 2nd, headed next, led after 5th, ridden after 3 out, mistake and headed next, rallied flat, led towards finish
tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, ridden after 6th, struggling from 8th, soon behind, hanging badly left on bend before 3 out
led until 2nd, led next, headed after 5th, not fluent 7th, close up 3 out, outpaced when not fluent 2 out, weakened last
tracked leaders, lost place after 5th, closed from next, outpaced 8th, soon weakened
in rear, not much room 2nd, niggled along next, ridden and struggling before 6th, well behind when mistake last
David Noonan has been getting plenty of his rides and though his mount For 'n' Against is looking a little exposed he did win at Fontwell in August. THE EAGLEHASLANDED looks the one to be on, however, with Will Biddick taking the reins. He teamed up with Paul Nicholls to win this last year and the five-year-old got off the mark over hurdles at Chepstow in March having been well backed when falling here the time before. Minellacelebration has won four point-to-points so has ability but could find a couple too good back under Rules.
For 'n' Against (IRE) 11-2 (11-5) Took keen hold and not always fluent, tracked leading pair, effort 12th, left disputing 2nd when blundered 4 out, outright 2nd approaching 2 out, no extra before last, 2nd of 4, 11l behind How About It (11-5) at Exeter 3m (4) gd in Oct.
The Eaglehaslanded (IRE) 4-5fav (11-1) Tracked leading pair, ridden on long run before 2 out, 2nd 2 out, led before last, not fluent last, stayed on run-in, ridden out, won at Chepstow 2m 4f (4) sft in Mar beating Filatore (11-7) by 2 1/4l, 9 ran.
Boxatrix 66-1 (10-12) In rear, behind 4 out, 7th of 9, dist behind Fingerontheswitch (10-12) at Worcester 2m 7f mdn (5) gd in Oct.
Minellacelebration (IRE) 2-1fav (11-7) A.p; led 11; drew clr 2 out; comf, won at Hereford P-t-p Course 3m gs in May beating Russian Empire (12-0) by 10l, 9 ran.
Skating Home (IRE) 100-1 (10-0) Held up mid-division, fell 8th, at Towcester 3m hcp (5) gf in Oct.
Lilbourne Legacy 20-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, under pressure 4 out, soon lost place, 8th of 9, 33 1/4l behind Wild Rover (11-10) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
