chased leaders, went 2nd 4 out, clear last, idled run-in, always doing enough
mid-division, hit 2nd, headway tracking leaders 5th, fell 11th
held up, headway tracking leaders 6th, jumped slowly next, ridden and went 2nd before 2 out until the last, kept on same pace in 3rd
led until 4 out, soon lost 2nd and ridden, chased leaders, weakened approaching 2 out
mid-division, steady headway tracking leaders 13th, hung left under pressure and weakening when mistake 2 out
chased leaders, r4idden and weakened approaching 4 out
chased leaders until not fluent and lost place 8th, towards rear when hampered 11th, rallied before 4 out, went 2nd at the last, kept on run-in, always just held
mid-division until jumped slowly 3rd, towards rear when mistake 10th, blundered and hampered next, pulled up before 13th
towards rear, pushed along and struggling before 14th, never involved
always towards rear, never a factor
chased leader, blundered 5th, lost 2nd 14th, chased leaders, pushed along and went 2nd again after 4 out until before 2 out, chased leaders, weakened
in rear, pushed along and struggling before 10th, never a factor
NonRunner
Beware The Bear is chasing a four-timer and the form of his latest victory at Ascot was franked when the second won a decent contest at Cheltenham last week. Aurillac was only third at Ascot but is 7lb better off so the top weight faces no easy task and his trainer also runs the less-exposed Lessons In Milan and Caracci Apache. Weststreet won twice over hurdles last season but has always looked a chaser in the making and is worth a market check. Ballywilliam is another interesting newcomer and Warriors Tale already has decent chase form in the book while Royal Milan still has time on his side. MONBEG GOLD was giving weight to subsequent Sandown winner More Buck’s at Fontwell but closing at the finish. The longer trip here will suit and he can go one better.
Beware The Bear (IRE) 4-1jfav (11-3) Hampered 1st, chased leaders, went left next, jumped slowly 13th, 2nd going well 3 out, challenged next, led approaching last, ridden and edged left run-in, stayed on well, won at Ascot 3m hcp (3) gs in Nov beating Singlefarmpayment (11-6) by 2 3/4l, 9 ran.
Caracci Apache (IRE) 40-1 (10-0) In rear, never on terms, 12th of 13, 24 3/4l behind Elraazy (9-0) at Haydock 1m 4f mdn stks (5) gd in Sep.
Lessons In Milan (IRE) 6-5fav (10-12) Tracked leader, hampered and left in lead 9th, 1 1/2 lengths ahead when bad mistake and unseated rider 3 out, at Fontwell 3m 1f (4) sft in Apr.
Private Malone (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) In touch, went 4th before 4 out, soon weakened, 5th of 6, 28 1/4l behind American (11-0) at Exeter 3m (3) sft in Nov.
Warriors Tale 10-1 (11-2) Mid-division on inside, headway chasing leaders before 3 out, went 2nd last, driven and one pace run-in, 2nd of 16, 5l behind O Maonlai (11-6) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Monbeg Gold (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Always prominent, challenged 3 out, mistake next, ridden and one pace before last, rallied closing stages, just held, 2nd of 6, 1/2l behind More Buck's (10-10) at Fontwell 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Aurillac (FR) 11-2 (11-3) Wandered into 1st and left 2nd, jumped slowly next, lost 2nd 10th, chased leaders, every chance when blundered 4 out, pushed along after 3 out, ridden between last 2, plugged on into modest 3rd last stride, 3rd of 9, 7 3/4l behind Beware The Bear (11-3) at Ascot 3m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Ballywilliam (IRE) 5-1 (11-11) Held up, headway when not fluent 3 out, went 2nd next, led last, driven and stayed on well flat, won at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (4) hvy in Apr beating Transient Bay (10-10) by 3 1/2l, 7 ran.
Weststreet (IRE) 7-2 (11-2) Held up in 5th, good headway on outside into 2nd approaching 3 out, led well before next, clear from 2 out, eased towards finish, won at Bangor 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Mar beating Shantou Tiger (11-2) by 6l, 5 ran.
Royal Milan (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Chasing leaders when badly hampered and unseated rider 1st, at Ascot 3m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Bugsie Malone (IRE) 8-1 (10-0) Took keen hold early, held up towards rear, dropped to last approaching 5th, struggling in rear when stumbled 8th, plugged on under pressure when not fluent 2 out, went never nearer 4th run-in, 4th of 9, 7 3/4l behind Arctic Gold (10-11) at Sandown 2m 7f hcp (2) gs in Dec.
Bull And Bush (IRE) 11-1 (11-7) Took keen hold, tracked leading pair, ridden and no impression after 2 out (normal 3 out ) plugged on same pace after, 3rd of 7, 12 1/4l behind Tambura (11-9) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Goodbye Dancer (FR) 16-1 (10-12) Always behind, struggling from 4 out, tailed off, 10th of 13, dist behind Anteros (10-2) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp lst (1) sft in Nov.
