mid-division, headway before 6th, led after 3 out, headed 2 out, 3rd and beaten when mistake last
held up towards rear, not fluent 6th, headway next, soon ridden, hampered 3 out, challenged 2 out, hung left and led flat, stayed on
led until 7th, 5th and no extra 2 out
jumped left, prominent, not fluent 6th, led next, headed after 3 out, 4th and beaten 2 out
chased leaders, lost place after 4th, weakened before 6th, tailed off next, pulled up after
chased leaders on inside, jumped left 2nd, fell 3 out
chased leaders, not fluent 7th, led 2 out, headed and pushed left flat, held towards finish
always in rear, behind 7th
took keen hold, prominent, lost place before 6th, behind next, pulled up after
blundered 5th, always behind, soon pulled up
held up towards rear, weakened before 6th, behind next, pulled up after
Maiden hurdle winner Black Mischief has struggled since and last month’s Ludlow winner Dandy Dan, failed to cope under a penalty at Doncaster recently. It remains to be seen if Classic Ben fares any better penalised for his win at Fakenham so BOREHAM BILL gets the vote to take advantage of the weight concession and come out best. The latter should be sharper for a recent outing at Newbury while hurdling debutant Ey Up Rocky made a winning start in a bumper at Kelso in September.
Black Mischief 5-2 (11-4) Held up and behind, mistake 2nd, headway chasing leaders approaching 4 out, pushed along and weakened before 2 out, 5th of 14, 20 1/4l behind Way Back Then (10-12) at Kempton 2m 5f (4) gd in Nov.
Classic Ben (IRE) 5-6fav (10-12) Tracked leader, carried right 1st, ridden to lead soon after 2 out, ridden out, won at Fakenham 2m 4f (4) sft in Dec beating Ballinslea Bridge (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 4 ran.
Dandy Dan (IRE) 5-2 (11-4) Led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, no impression on winner last, no extra flat, 2nd of 11, 15l behind Enniscoffey Oscar (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 5f (4) gs in Dec.
Boreham Bill (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Led, hit 2 out, ridden and headed before last, no extra and lost 2nd run-in, weakened, 4th of 9, 8 1/4l behind Santini (10-12) at Newbury 2m 5f (3) sft in Dec.
Cocker 25-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders until ridden soon after 3 out, weakened after next, not fluent last, last of 4, 15l behind Mullaghboy (11-4) at Fakenham 2m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Ey Up Rocky 5-1 (10-12) Made most, ridden and pressed from over 1f out, held on close home, won at Kelso 2m (6) gd in Sep beating Senor Lombardy (10-12) by hd, 6 ran.
Lygon Rock (IRE) 66-1 (11-2) Led, ridden and headed over 2f out, kept on same pace, 4th of 9, 9 1/4l behind Benny's Bridge (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (6) gs in Nov.
Minella Whisper 100-1 (10-12) In rear, remote 6th after 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 8th of 11, dist behind Enniscoffey Oscar (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 5f (4) gs in Dec.
The Cannister Man (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Led, fell after 2f, at Chepstow 2m (6) hvy in Dec.
Ask Nellie (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, ridden 6f out, soon weakened, tailed off, 8th of 11, dist behind Rose Of Cimarron (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m (6) gs in Jun.
Ballina Lady (IRE) 66-1 (10-5) Raced keenly, led after 1st, headed after 4 out, soon lost place and weakened, tailed off next, last of 10, dist behind Knight In Dubai (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 5f (4) sft in Dec.
