mid-division, hit 3rd, lost place and ridden 5th, soon behind
held up in rear, ridden and headway after 5th, kept on to go 2nd flat, no chance with winner
held up, headway approaching 3 out, led 2 out, clear when hit last, eased flat
towards rear, headway 4th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened before next
led to 2nd, led again 4th to 5th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
in touch, ridden after 5th, weakened approaching 2 out
mid-division, lost place approaching 5th, stayed on flat
prominent, reminder 3rd, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching last
led 2nd to 4th, led again 5th, ridden and headed 2 out, edged right and weakened flat
in touch to approaching 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
towards rear, headway approaching 5th, weakened approaching 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
A very moderate affair can go the way of Makandy, with Irish Blessing, Aleemdar and Nepal three potential dangers. Makandy was at least placed last time out when finishing second to Blackthorn in a similar contest over the course and distance. He was sent off as favourite to beat that rival but could not muster enough stamina to see out the stiff climb to the line and was beaten eight lengths. He did though finish a distance clear of the third horse and as this race is no better, he may well finally lose his maiden tag. Irish Blessing was successful in this grade at Wetherby In April but has shown nothing since. He took on better company at Bangor last time though and will be helped by being back at this lowly level. Aleemdar is inconsistent but he very nearly added to his career tally when a close second at Market Rasen in October, and it would be no surprise if he were to go close here. Nepal was placed a couple of times on the Flat and since going hurdling has shown enough to suggest that a race of this nature is within his grasp, and he is another worth a mention, but for the winner we return to Makandy.
Protocol (IRE) 8-1 (11-11) In touch, struggling from 4th, 7th of 17, 28l behind Before The Mast (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (G) gs in Dec.
Makandy 2-1fav (10-5) Led to approaching 2nd, chased leaders, ridden to chase winner 3 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 6, 8l behind Blackthorn (10-5) at Leicester 2m sll hdl (G) hvy in Dec.
Irish Blessing (USA) 16-1 (10-11) In touch, ridden approaching 5th, weakened after next, 10th of 11, 30l behind Gustavo (10-7) at Bangor 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (F) hvy in Dec.
Aleemdar (IRE) 8-1 (9-11) Prominent, ridden after 5th, soon weakened, 9th of 10, well behind Sunnyarjun (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gs in Nov.
Comete du Lac (FR) 33-1 (10-6) Chased leaders to 6th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Tinstre (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gd in May, 16 ran.
La Muette (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) Held up towards rear, mistake 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 17, 40l behind Before The Mast (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 1f sll hcp hdl 0-95 (G) gs in Dec.
Needwood Spirit 14-1 (10-6) Mid-division, weakened 3 out, 11th of 18, 19l behind Ball Games (11-2) at Catterick 2m sll hcp hdl 0-95 (G) gd in Nov.
Purr 40-1 (10-3) Mid-division, pushed along approaching 6th, soon struggling, 10th of 15, 39l behind Uncle John (11-1) at Catterick 2m 3f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) gd.
Kiss The Girls (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) Led, headed 6th, remained close up, led and hit 7th, headed after 4 out, soon weakened, 10th of 14, well behind Spectested (11-11) at Wetherby 3m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (F) sft in Dec.
John Jorrocks (FR) 40-1 (10-0) Always behind, 7th of 13, 40l behind Sunnyland (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gs in Oct.
Nepal (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, effort approaching 3 out, soon one pace, 4th of 15, 20l behind Dennick (10-2) at Doncaster 2m sll hdl (G) gd in Dec.
Exclusive Air (USA) 28-1 (9-7) Held up, headway to chase leading pair from 3 out until weakened between last 2, 5th of 7, 50l behind Roman Rampage (10-13) at Folkestone 2m 6f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) hvy.
