held up in rear, hampered 6th, under pressure after next, pulled up 8th
held up towards rear, hampered 6th, hit next, weakened before 8th, pulled up after next
led until 3rd, remained prominent, under pressure before 3 out, weakening when fell last
prominent, under pressure 4 out, stayed on to go 2nd approachuing last, no chance with winner
held up in rear, hampered 6th, headway when mistake 9th, weakened 3 out, rallying when hampered last, modest 3rd
chasing leaders when fell 6th
tracked leaders, led 3rd, jumped left throughout, drew clear before 3 out, very easily
chased leaders, lost place 3rd, hampered 6th, tailed off 5 out, pulled up after next
Nonrunner
Palm Grey beat Pixiepot, who runs in the previous race, over hurdles here last month and should go well if his jumping holds up. Top Cat Henry was prominent for a long way in the Grand Sefton at Aintree and should enjoy this easier test. Dreams Of Milan is usually thereabouts but Fergal Mael Duin and Son Of Suzie need to bounce back from recent below-par efforts and the former is now blinkered. ELMORE BACK (NAP) still had every chance at the second-last on his chasing bow at Doncaster and wasn't punished once his chance had gone. His yard is in better form now and he still has plenty of scope.
Top Cat Henry (IRE) 10-1 (10-0) Led until before 5th, with leader, led again 12th (canal turn), mistake 13th (valentines), pecked slightly 15th, headed before 2 out, no impression on winner last, weakened flat, finished tired, 6th of 13, dist behind Bennys Mist (10-4) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Elmore Back (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Mid-division, blundered 11th, effort 4 out, one pace from 2 out, 4th and no impression last, 4th of 11, 11 1/4l behind Wings Attract (10-6) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Fergal Mael Duin 15-2 (10-3) Close up, ridden 4 out, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 13, dist behind What A Good Night (10-4) at Bangor 3m hcp (2) sft in Nov.
Court Dismissed (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Disputed led to 2nd, raced wide and remained in touch next, lost place 4 out, soon weakened, 5th of 7, dist behind Blandfords Gunner (11-8) at Leicester 2m hcp (4) gd in Dec.
Palm Grey (IRE) 10-3 (11-9) Tracked leader, led 7th, joined between 3 out and 2 out, hit 2 out, driven out, won at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (4) hvy in Dec beating Pixiepot (10-5) by 1 3/4l, 5 ran.
Dreams Of Milan (IRE) 2-1fav (11-0) Tracked leaders in 3rd, led before 4 out, headed 3 out, one pace from next, 2nd of 6, 10l behind St Dominick (11-12) at Exeter 3m hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Ballyadeen (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, hit 5th, blundered 7th, headway after 5 out, close up when fell next, at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Solway Legend 25-1 (10-5) Towards rear, headway before 4 out, ridden before last, kept on same pace, 3rd of 12, 5 3/4l behind Wild Bill (11-4) at Doncaster 3m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Son Of Suzie 6-1cfav (11-6) In touch in mid-division, mistake 4th, hit 13th, soon ridden and no impression, hampered 4 out, 5th of 11, 33 1/4l behind Lord Landen (10-3) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
