tracked leader, led 13th, joined 3 out headed next, well held before the last, weakened into 3rd last 75 yards
badly hampered 3rd, last pair, dropped to last at 6th, never a factor after, tailed off 4 out
racing on outside when blundered 1st, jumped right next and 3rd, last trio, closer at 9th, handy 3rd 4 out, challenged and hit next, went 2nd before 2 out, led 2 out, clear approaching last, kept on well
held up in 5th, lost place before 8th, pushed along in 6th and looked struggling before 3 out, finally picked up and ran on into 2nd last 75 yards, too late to threaten
chased leading pair until 4 out, chased leaders, weakened 2 out
always behind, jumped slowly 7th, no chance when went badly left 12th and next, tailed off
led until 13th, lost 2nd next, chased leaders, soon pushed along, weakened before 3 out, tailed off
tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out, every chance next, lost 2nd before 2 out, kept on same pace in 3rd, no extra in 4th final 75 yards
LARRY (NAP) ran a lot better than the final result suggests at Ascot on his chasing bow and was still well in contention when falling at Plumpton subsequently. These stiff fences will test his jumping technique but he clearly has an engine and looks the one to beat if putting in a clear round. Western Miller went close over track and trip last season when 4lb higher so warrants respect, despite a couple of modest efforts this term. Dream Bolt ran well off this mark at Ascot two runs ago while Darius Des Bois will have learned plenty from his second at Ludlow. Creep Desbois still looks a few pounds too high while Lithic is a weak finisher but Prairie Town could be interesting having run on the all-weather in the autumn.
Western Miller (IRE) 12-1 (11-11) Led, headed before 5th, blundered 5 out, weakened from 3 out, 5th of 9, 22 1/2l behind Ballywood (10-13) at Taunton 2m 2f hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Creep Desbois (FR) 14-1 (11-8) In rear, slow 1st, headway 11th, no impression from 2 out, modest 4th last, 4th of 10, 19 1/2l behind Ballyhill (11-11) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Larry 7-4fav (11-7) Led until 2nd, led again 4th until 9th, in front again 10th until after 3 out, close enough but pushed along when fell 2 out, at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Darius Des Bois (FR) 9-4 (10-12) Led, mistake 10th, hit 3 out and headed, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 4, 2 1/2l behind Coup De Pinceau (11-8) at Ludlow 3m (3) sft in Dec.
Lithic (IRE) 13-2 (11-6) Chased leaders, mistake 5th, disputed 3rd when fell 11th, at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Prairie Town (IRE) 11-2 (9-8) Dwelt towards rear, ridden over 3f out, never on terms, 15th of 16, 8 1/4l behind Your Band (8-10) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Dream Bolt (IRE) 14-1 (10-5) In touch, ridden 13th, weakened 3 out, 6th of 10, 28 1/4l behind Mr Medic (11-1) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Vocaliser (IRE) 8-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, weakened 4 out, 6th of 8, 30l behind Sir Egbert (12-1) at Newbury 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
