always behind, weakened after 6th, tailed off next
held up in rear, under pressure 6th, tailed off 4 out, pulled up after next
chased leaders, driven to challenge approaching 2 out, soon weakened, left in remote 3rd at last
prominent, led after 2nd, headed before next, chased leaders, effort when blundered badly 4 out, soon weakened, left in remote 4th at last
prominent, led 2nd, soon headed, reminders 4th, lost place before next, detatched when pulled up after 6th
chased leaders, lost place approaching 6th, soon beaten, tailed off 4 out, pulled up after next
chased leaders, ridden to challenge 3 out, weakened next, left in 2nd and blundered last
behind, headway to chase leaders 6th, mistake 4 out, ridden to challenge after next, under pressure in 2nd when left in lead at last
led until 2nd, keen, led again approaching 3rd, 5 lengths clear when fell last
DAKOTA GREY showed a big improvement when runner-up at Wetherby on his reappearance. Micky Hammond's charge finished a long way in front of a previous winner and is just preferred to Takingrisks. The latter also posted a better effort last time when placed at Carlisle well ahead of the disappointing Egret and should go close in this. Point-to-point winner Mahler Lad goes hurdling for the first time and Flemensfirthleader makes his debut under Rules.
Ashes Corner (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Refused to race, at Doncaster 2m 1f mdn (5) gs in Dec.
Bolton Blue (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, mistake 3 out, weakened before next, tailed off, modest 4th, 4th of 5, dist behind Western Rules (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 3f (4) hvy in Dec.
Dakota Grey 33-1 (10-12) Took keen hold tracking leaders, every chance from 3 out, kept on same pace flat, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Bon Enfant (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 5f (4) sft in Dec.
Egret (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Keen tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, plugged on, 4th of 10, 21 1/2l behind Alibi De Sivola (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 3f (4) hvy in Nov.
Forty Something (IRE) 150-1 (10-12) Led until 3 out, lost place before next, tailed off, last of 5, dist behind Western Rules (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 3f (4) hvy in Dec.
Mahler Lad (IRE) 4-5fav (11-4) Mid-division, pushed along before halfway, headway over 5f out, ridden to challenge over 3f out, stayed on same pace final furlong, 3rd of 9, 21 1/2l behind Captain Chaos (10-7) at Newcastle 2m (6) sft in Jan.
Sevenballs Of Fire (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Mid-division, in rear and struggling 5f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never nearer, 5th of 18, 16 1/4l behind Double W's (11-0) at Ayr 2m (6) gs in Oct.
Takingrisks (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 6th, ridden and stayed on run in, 2nd of 10, 2 1/2l behind Alibi De Sivola (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 3f (4) hvy in Nov.
Flemensfirthleader 20-1 (11-0) 2nd til led aft 13; hdd 2 out; wknd app last, 3rd of 11, 13 1/2l behind Tambour Major (12-0) at Corbridge 3m mdn gs in Mar.
