chased leaders, hit 3rd, pushed along when fell 12th
chased leader, jumped slowly and lost 2nd briefly 7th, pushed along and lost 2nd 4 out, chased leading pair until before next, weakened
tracked leading pair, reached for 2nd, tracked leader briefly 7th, 2nd 4 out, challenged next, awkward last, led run-in, readily
held up, closer when left in 4th place 12th, 3rd before 3 out, edged left and went 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner
not that fluent, held up, steady headway approaching 10th, jumped slowly next, weakened before 3 out
led and soon clear, hit 11th, reduced lead and joined 3 out, headed run-in, weakened into 3rd towards finish
chasing leaders when blundered and unseated rider 6th
last trio, struggling in rear after 10th, outpaced 4 out, never on terms
NonRunner
THE LAST BUT ONE (NAP) produced an excellent round of jumping to make a winning start over fences at Musselburgh. He should easily manage a 4lb rise in this given there looks to be plenty more to come. Stoical Patient is unbeaten over fences when completing. He’s already won twice around here but has another 6lb rise to contend with. Sonoftheking has done all of his winning over further and couldn’t cope off this mark at Hereford last time while Brown Bear turned in a shocker when favourite here on Boxing Day. Spock is back in the handicapper’s grip and is unlikely to get his own way out in front today.
Fergal Mael Duin 10-1 (11-8) Held up, not fluent 1st, mistake 4th, ridden and outpaced after 8th, 4th from next, well beaten after 3 out, 5th of 8, 32 1/2l behind Granville Island (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Sonoftheking (IRE) 11-4 (11-12) Led to after 1st, tracked leader, disputed lead from 5th, led 4 out, driven and hard pressed 2 out, headed between last 2, no chance with winner flat, eased towards finish, 2nd of 7, 9l behind Tb Broke Her (10-7) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
The Last But One (IRE) 10-3 (10-7) Made most, driven after 3 out, pressed when left clear last, ridden out, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Feb beating Rainy City (11-8) by 7l, 8 ran.
Cap Horner (FR) 5-2 (10-12) Off the pace in last pair, mistake 6th, not fluent 4 out, soon closed, weakened 3 out, last of 4, dist behind Speedalong (11-1) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Brown Bear (IRE) 11-8fav (12-1) Held up in last pair, modest 5th from 8th, struggling before 3 out, never involved, pulled up before last, at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Spock (FR) 28-1 (10-2) Led, mistake 8th, headed after 2 out, weakened flat, 5th of 13, 12 1/4l behind Yorgonnahearmeroar (11-4) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Oakidoaki 7-4fav (11-12) Close up 2nd, hit 12th, ridden and weakened next, tailed off, 4th of 6, 26 1/2l behind Little Windmill (12-4) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp (5) hvy in Jan.
Moneystown (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Tracked leader until 4th, chased leaders, close 2nd again after 7th until after 3 out, one pace and no impression in 3rd, weakened into 4th at the last, 4th of 6, 10 3/4l behind Sir Hubert (10-7) at Plumpton 2m 1f hcp (4) hvy in Feb.
Stoical Patient (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Jumped well, made all, clear after 4 out until before next, hung right after, clear again before last, idled run-in, driven out, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Feb beating Flemerina (11-7) by 2 1/4l, 5 ran.
