in rear and in touch, went 2nd before 4 out, pushed along to challenge before 3 out, led 2 out, ridden and headed last, kept on
tracked leaders in 3rd, mistake 5 out, went 3rd 4 out, led last, kept on well
led, headed 2 out, kept on same pace
tracked leader, outpaced 5 out
behind and in touch, weakening when pecked badly 8th, tailed off, pulled up
Nonrunner
Venetian Lad can include this race in 2014 among his seven course victories and is back on a winning mark. But MERCIAN KING arrives in the best form having gone close again at Warwick on the back of scoring at Fakenham last month. Bertenbar looked beaten when falling behind the selection at Fakenham but has since been placed at Market Rasen while Bishops Court was in the process of running well at Huntingdon when blundering badly at the last. Blake Dean has won off a higher mark over hurdles and is not out of this.
Mercian King (IRE) 7-2 (11-11) Tracked leader, switched right after 2 out, led when blundered last, headed and held after, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Arquebusier (11-4) at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Bishops Court 9-4fav (10-11) Tracked leaders, 2nd 4th until 6th, 2nd again after 3 out, mistake 2 out, about 2 lengths off winner when blundered badly last, 4th and well beaten after, 4th of 6, 14l behind A Little Magic (11-3) at Huntingdon 2m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Bertenbar 5-2 (11-12) Led, not fluent at times, ridden 3 out, joined last, headed flat, kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 5l behind Asuncion (10-0) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Venetian Lad 25-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, pushed along before 4 out, driven and one pace in 3rd before 2 out until 2 out, went modest 3rd again last, 3rd of 8, 10 1/2l behind Minella On Line (11-9) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Blake Dean 15-2 (11-12) Held up in last pair, tailed off 3 out, never on terms, 7th of 9, dist behind Ding Ding (10-13) at Plumpton 2m 2f hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Major Milborne 14-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, pushed along and struggling after 8th, never on terms, 10th of 13, 33 1/4l behind Abbeygrey (11-8) at Exeter 2m 6f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
