held up towards rear, not fluent 5th, headway 12th, ridden and weakened approaching 4 out
held up in rear, outpaced when blundered and unseated rider 13th
chased leaders, led 3 out, headed run-in, no extra
chased leaders, led 11th, headed approaching 14th, every chance 4 out, every chance 2 out, one pace under pressure
led to 11th, weakened quickly, tailed off when pulled up before 13th
held up in touch, headway 6th, led approaching 14th, headed 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on strongly to lead again, run-in
Briar's Mist and Behavingbadly hold strong claims in this marathon event, along with Tarbolton Moss, and we will give the vote to the first named. Chris Grant's gelding looks an out an out stayer, even though his latest victory came over three miles. He plodded on through the mud in that Uttoxeter event as if he could have gone round again and we believe this distance will be right up his street. Behavingbadly landed a decent enough chase at Kelso in November over the three and a half mile trip and it is difficult to see this one not reaching the frame. Meanwhile Tarbolton Moss has some terrific form in the past and although he hasn't sparkled recently, the booking of Tony Dobbin could be significant. Of the others The Quads is from a yard firing in the winners and should be watched for market support, but Briars Mist will not be stopping at the end of this slog and he gets the decision.
