always prominent, joined winner 14th, weakened 3 out
prominent, mistake 2nd, ridden and slightly outpaced approaching 15th, went 2nd after 3 out, no chance with winner when jumped slowly last
led to 4th, with winner until not fluent 13th, weakened 14th
always behind, reminder approaching 12th, struggling 14th, tailed off when pulled up after 15th
prominent, led 4th, clear from 3 out, unchallenged
prominent until ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off
held up mid-division, ridden after 13th, struggling 14th, took moderate 3rd flat
always behind, blundered 2nd, reminder after 6th, pushed along 11th, no chance from 4 out
held up in rear, short-lived effort 13th
held up mid-division, effort 14th, ridden and weakened after 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
Silent Steps looked an out-and-out stayer when winning easily from Still Believing, who won this last year, at Chepstow and was well supported for a similar race at Warwick but paid the penalty for a bad mistake. Heavenly Promise won three minor handicaps in soft ground and came from well off the pace when runner-up at Southwell though is 4lb higher in this better class event. TOP AND DROP completed a hat-trick earlier this year when winning easily over the course and distance. The assessor has reacted with a 15lb rise but Venetia Williams' mare looks as though she can go on to better things. The stable also run Longhousesignora, who hasn't had much experience over fences though looks a stayer in the making.
Top And Drop Evensfav (11-7) With leader, led 14th, headed 4 out, soon led again, clear 3 out, eased towards finish, won at Hereford 3m 1f hcp (4) gs in Mar beating Northern Beau (11-9) by 4 1/2l, 7 ran.
Still Believing (IRE) 11-2 (11-10) Led, driven and hard pressed 3 out, soon ridden, headed between last 2, 2 lengths down when pecked last, no chance with winner flat, 2nd of 5, 10l behind Silent Steps (11-0) at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Silent Steps (IRE) 5-2fav (11-11) Led until 4th, 2nd until before 9th, blundered 10th, lost place before 12th, well beaten from 4 out, last of 7, dist behind Stupid Cupid (10-1) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Royal Claret 11-2 (11-12) In rear, jumped slowly, well behind 12th, pulled up before 15th, at Hereford 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Longhousesignora (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Held up in touch, outpaced before 4 out, stayed on from 2 out, never a threat, 4th of 9, 4 3/4l behind Miss Tynte (11-9) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Annie Bonny 9-2 (11-12) Hampered 1st, held up behind, hit 6th, outpaced before 4 out, never able to challenge, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 7, 24l behind Robin Des Mana (11-9) at Ffos Las 2m hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Stream Lady (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Pressed leader, driven and every chance 3 out, outpaced before next, soon ridden and beaten, last of 5, 22 1/2l behind Silent Steps (11-0) at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) sft in Oct.
In Arrears (IRE) 8-1 (11-11) Led, went right 6th, narrowly headed 11th, lost 2nd and ridden after 4 out, weakened soon after, tailed off, last of 5, dist behind Sheneededtherun (11-10) at Southwell 3m hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Heavenly Promise (IRE) 11-10fav (11-3) Led in start, waited with in rear, not fluent 3rd, good headway 4 out, 3rd before next, went 2nd inside final 100 yards, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 2l behind Sheneededtherun (11-10) at Southwell 3m hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Stupid Cupid (IRE) 12-1 (10-4) Tracked leader, pecked 1st, mistake next, lost place before mistake 3 out, weakened after, 7th of 11, dist behind Hard To Forget (11-10) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
