held up in touch, weakened 10th
led to 4th, chased leaders until weakened after 5 out
held up, chased leaders 5 out, soon ridden and weakened
chased leader, every chance flat, no extra
held up in touch and keen, led 4th, headed 4 out, soon weakened
held up, headway 5 out, led after 4 out, driven out, stayed on well
chased leaders, mistake 6th, led 4 out, soon headed, weakened 2 out
mid-division, struggling from 7th, pulled up before 6 out
held up, pulled up quickly after 2nd
mid-division, weakened 5 out
behind, weakened 6 out, pulled up before 3 out
behind, pulled up before 5 out
held up, struggling from 6 out
held up mid-division, behind from 6 out
held up towards rear, effort 8th, weakened after next, pulled up before 3 out
MOSCOW CATCH can take the finale although Finney and Tarablaze look exciting recruits. Malcolm Jefferson's charge looks potentially to be one of the better Northern novices and this is a very hot race. The ground should be perfectly adequate and today should reveal a lot about what future plans will be. Finney is sure to be popular with Tony McCoy aboard for regular patron, Trevor Hemmings. His second to Alderluck is fair form and he made no mistakes at Hereford recently. Tarablaze is officially rated 138. It's some time since we saw him out in the Persian War so the market is checked accordingly. There was no fluke about Mr Woods' victory over Lie Forrit. That rival has gone on to score since. Fabalu is dropping in trip this afternoon but today's going is much tackier than that experienced at Wetherby. Border Reiver attempts to reverse form today. Bushwhacker finished second in a hot bumper at Ascot and he could literally be anything. Moscow Catch is the pick in a race where there will be plenty of future winners.
Border Reiver 11-4 (11-5) In touch, hampered 4 out, modest 3rd soon after, 3rd of 10, 22l behind Fabalu (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 6f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Fabalu (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Made virtually all, ridden when mistake 2 out, kept on gamely, won at Wetherby 2m 6f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec beating Diamond Frontier (11-5) by 4 1/2l, 10 ran.
Finney 8-13fav (10-12) In touch, led 3 out, ridden out, won at Hereford 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec beating Penharold (10-12) by 5l, 15 ran.
Moscow Catch (IRE) 5-2jt-fav (10-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd at 7th, hung left and led last, stayed on well, won at Ayr 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec beating Signalman (10-12) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Mr Woods 25-1 (10-5) Made all, clear from 2nd, ridden and 4 lengths clear when not fluent 2 out, held on towards finish, won at Ayr 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov beating Lie Forrit (10-7) by a nk, 11 ran.
Tarablaze (IRE) 3-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, jumped left home straight, challenging when mistake 4 out, hit next, kept on but held from 2 out, 2nd of 10, 5l behind Hell's Bay (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f nov hdl Grd 2 (1) gd in Oct.
Be Brief 6-1 (10-9) Mistake 1st, chased leaders, led 6th, headed 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 13, 12l behind Comhla Ri Coig (10-12) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Bushwacker (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) In touch, led 2f out, soon ridden, narrowly headed entering final furlong, rallied gamely, no extra near finish, 2nd of 15, 1/2l behind Red Harbour (11-4) at Ascot 2m nhf Grd 2 (1) gs in Dec.
Cloudy Times (IRE) 11-4 (10-9) Chased leaders, led 4 out, ridden next, headed soon after last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 14, 8l behind Ernst Blofeld (10-12) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Cross Kennon (IRE) 5-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, led 9f out, ridden and headed over 4f out, weakened 2f out, 5th of 16, 17l behind King of Leon (11-4) at Ludlow 2m nhf (4) gs in Dec.
Francesco (FR) 11-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, one pace from 3 out, 3rd of 9, 28l behind Quicuyo (11-6) at Ayr 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Mar.
Incentivise (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Chased leader, led after 1f, ridden 6f out and headed, weakened 3f out, 8th of 11, 25l behind Tim Henry (10-11) at N Abbot 2m 1f mdn nhf (6) gf in Jul.
Mighty Magnus (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 9th, weakened 3 out, 7th of 13, well behind Comhla Ri Coig (10-12) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Silver Salvo 66-1 (11-0) Mid-division until weakened over 3f out, 9th of 15, 23l behind Bella Haze (10-7) at Chepstow 2m nhf (6) sft in Dec.
Sir Ian (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Mistake 5th, always behind, 11th of 12, well behind Postmaster (11-9) at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Sylvan Oak (IRE) 100-1 (11-2) Raced keenly, led after 2f, headed over 3f out, soon weakened, 11th of 14, 25l behind Solway Sam (10-11) at Ayr 2m nhf (6) gs in Nov.
