keen tracked leaders, tracked winner 11th, ridden 2 out, kept on one pace
close up in 4th when fell 7th
with leader until led 8th, 4 lengths clear 2 out, ridden out
led until 8th, tracked winner until ridden 11th, soon lost place, outpaced 3 out, rallied to go 3rd at last
held up in rear, went 3rd at 11th, ridden when mistake 2 out, soon weakened
Town Mouse won a handicap at Fontwell in April but has had plenty of chances to add to that success since and is rated 11lb lower than March's Bangor winner Minella Forfitness. That pair have to give 5lb to HAMMERSLY LAKE and Katgary, which looks a tall order. Nicky Henderson's charge would have been the best of these over timber and will have had plenty of schooling so can make a winning start over fences as the Nicholls' gelding didn't appear to take to chasing at Kempton on Boxing day last year, though still has time on his side.
Minella Forfitness (IRE) 7-2fav (11-10) In rear, headway 5 out, led before 2 out, ridden and stayed on gamely flat, won at Bangor 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Mar beating Lucky Landing (11-7) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Hammersly Lake (FR) 7-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, not fluent 4th, led 2 out, strongly pressed after, headed close home, 2nd of 17, nk behind Gran Maestro (10-1) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp lst (1) gd in Jul.
Katgary (FR) 16-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden before 3 out, weakened 2 out, 11th of 21, dist behind Taglietelle (11-6) at Aintree 3m hcp (1) gs in Apr.
The Society Man (IRE) 20-1 (10-8) 2nd until 1st, chased leaders, pushed along after 10th, closed 4 out, soon outpaced, plugged on from 2 out, went 3rd last, closed on 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 3rd of 6, 16 1/2l behind Ready Token (11-12) at Market Rasen 3m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Mesut (FR) 6-1fav (10-7) Led, mistake and unseated rider 2nd, at Fontwell 2m 5f (4) gd in Oct.
Town Mouse 10-1 (11-7) Led after 1st, hit 12th, headed 4 out, ridden after 2 out, kept on same pace, no impression in 3rd flat, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Top Cat Henry (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
