held up in touch, headway 5 out, chased leaders next, weakened after 3 out
held up in rear, progress to chase leaders 4th, went 2nd 4 out, led after next, soon hampered by loose horse, headed last, no extra closing stages
tracking leader when blundered and unseated rider 2nd
tracked leader, led 6 out, soon hampered by loose horse, blundered 3 out, headed before next, kept on same pace
led, mistake 2nd, headed 6 out, ridden 4 out, rallied 2 out, led last, stayed on well
chased leaders, weakened 9th, lost touch 5 out, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
in touch, jumped slowly 1st and 4th, pushed along after 6th, soon struggling in rear, behind when pulled up before 3 out
MORNING ROYALTY stays further which will be a help in these conditions and he was racing from his lowest ever mark when just failing to hold Subtle Grey at Carlisle. Throthethatch defied an 8lb rise when completing a double at Kelso but couldn't cope with another 9lb extra at Musselburgh. Another Journey made a poor start over fences at Leicester and Flash Crash has had 19 runs over jumps and has yet to win but has gone close on several occasions including on heavy going at Ffos Las a couple of weeks ago. Special Wells scored at last year's Boxing Day fixture at Wetherby but has been struggling at the weights subsequently.
Grove Silver (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Led until 8th, ridden 4 out, soon weakened, jumped left and hampered next, 6th of 7, dist behind April Dusk (11-1) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Morning Royalty (IRE) 11-8fav (11-0) Tracked leader, effort 2 out, switched right to challenge after last, kept on well under pressure, 2nd of 4, 1 1/2l behind Subtle Grey (11-4) at Carlisle 2m 5f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Another Journey 33-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, mistake 4th, lost place after 5 out, soon ridden and behind, weakened next, 6th of 7, dist behind Blandfords Gunner (11-8) at Leicester 2m hcp (4) gd in Dec.
Special Wells 4-1 (11-7) Prominent, blundered 2nd, soon lost place, ridden to chase leaders 6th, weakened after 10th, behind when pulled up before 4 out, at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Throthethatch (IRE) 11-8fav (11-7) Led until after 7th, chased leader until 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 7, 10 1/4l behind Rear Admiral (11-6) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Eco Warrior 7-1 (10-13) Tracked leader, lost place 3 out, close up again next, soon ridden, every chance when blundered last, no extra flat, 4th of 8, 5 3/4l behind Mr Fickle (11-7) at Sandown 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Flash Crash 7-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, led after 4 out, ridden after 2 out, headed flat, kept on, just held, 2nd of 10, nk behind Supreme Bob (11-2) at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
