not fluent 1st in rear, pushed along 6th, reminders next, slow 11th, struggling when pulled up 13th
tracked leader until led 3rd, not fluent 3 out, ridden next, headed towards finish
tracked leaders, not fluent 15th, dropped to rear 3 out, pulled before next
close up, ridden 3 out, jumped right last, weakened flat
led, hit and headed 3rd, tracked leader, ridden 3 out, beaten when bumped last, weakened flat
keen close up, ridden and headway 2 out, switched right flat, kept on one pace
held up in rear, not fluent 10th, lost ground next, headway 15th, went 3rd 3 out, driven to chase leader last, stayed on strongly to lead towards finish
Uhlan Bute showed up well on his reappearance and won for the first time over this trip at Ludlow in April. Mercers Court has been in excellent form and arrives off the back of a second in the Durham National, though has risen 22lb in the weights since August. Kilbree Kid was pulled up at Perth in September when last seen and may not be the force of old, though Noel George is good value for his 7lb claim. BY THE BOARDWALK is on a long losing run but has tumbled down the weights as a consequence. He’s had wind surgery over the summer and is tried in cheekpieces today so gets a final chance. Azure Fly won a higher mark last year but later efforts have left something to be desired.
Kilbree Kid (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Went left 1st, held up in rear, jumped slowly and reminder 12th, tailed off 4 out, soon pulled up, at Perth 3m hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Mercers Court (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) In touch, chased leaders halfway, driven to challenge 3 out, left in 2nd 2 out, never a threat, 2nd of 7, 9l behind Brian Boranha (11-6) at Sedgefield 3m 5f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Gallery Exhibition (IRE) 33-1 (11-1) Close up, not fluent 6th, dropped to rear 13th, slow next, behind 4 out, left remote 4th before last, 4th of 6, dist behind Midnight Shot (11-3) at Fakenham 3m hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Uhlan Bute (FR) 33-1 (10-4) Chased leaders, went 2nd at 4th, led after 7th until 5 out, weakened before 3 out, 7th of 13, 20 1/2l behind Kings Lad (10-12) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Azure Fly (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, effort approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 7, 21 3/4l behind Another Frontier (11-4) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Gold Patrol (IRE) 9-4jfav (12-0) Made all; drew clr 16; unchall, won at Edgcote 3m gs in Jun beating According To Trev (12-0) by 6l, 8 ran.
By The Boardwalk (IRE) 4-1 (11-11) Towards rear in 5th place, pushed along before 3 out, weakened before last, 5th of 6, dist behind Riddlestown (11-8) at Towcester 3m hcp (4) gf in May.
