made most until after 4 out, every chance 3out, lost second after last, faded
towards rear, outpaced 5 out, rallied 2 out, kept on same pace to go 3rd after last
in touch to halfway, soon behind, pulled up
in touch, headway halfway, every chance 4 out, weakened quickly and pulled up before next
soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 14th
towards rear, headway halfway and in touch, outpaced 5 out
close up, led 4 out, ridden next, headed after last, no extra
in touch to halfway, soon lost place, tailed off when pulled up after 4 out
close up, jumped left 12th, outpaced after 3 out, rallied after 2 out, stayed on well to lead after last, kept on
No seven-year-old has won this since 1999 so Morney Wing and Very Live look up against it. Cowards Close bids to follow up last year's victory but doesn't arrive in the same form and rider Jody Sole partners Clonbanan Lad this time. Newton Thistle is best at Towcester but Bob Tucker must have a chance if fully wound-up as his yard had the runner-up 12 months ago. JENNYS SURPRISE (NAP) looks the one to be on under Brodie Hampson as she's been knocking on the door in her last two starts and gets a mare's allowance. Irish Thistle has never raced over the trip before.
Cowards Close (IRE) 33-1 (10-0) Mid-division, in rear when blundered 6th (chair), blundered 13th (becher\\\\\\\'s brook), tailed off next, soon pulled up, at Aintree 3m 2f hcp (1) sft in Dec.
Morney Wing (IRE) 17-2 (10-10) Always behind, pulled up before last, at Taunton 2m 7f hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
Bob Tucker (IRE) 5-1jfav (11-10) Chased leaders, hit 16th, driven along in 5th after 3 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 9, 16 1/4l behind Fruity O'Rooney (11-0) at Ascot 3m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Clonbanan Lad (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, not fluent 3rd, went 2nd after 6th, challenged 9th, led 11th, headed 3 out, no impression on winner 2 out, lost 2nd before last, no extra flat, 3rd of 9, 16 3/4l behind Mendip Express (12-2) at Warwick 3m (6) sft in Jan.
High Kite (IRE) 10-1 (12-0) Sn wl bhnd; pu 9, at Barbury Racecourse 3m gs in Dec.
Irish Thistle (IRE) 22-1 (11-4) Towards rear, ridden 4th, soon well behind, 7th of 9, dist behind Chestnut Ben (10-5) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (3) sft in Feb.
Newton Thistle 10-1 (11-12) Mid-division, 5th and ridden before 14th, no impression, weakened next, pulled up before last, at Warwick 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Very Live (FR) 11-4 (11-5) Prominent, led 4th, mistake when headed 8th, every chance approaching 2 out, led last, stayed on well under pressure, won at Plumpton 2m 1f hcp (4) hvy in Feb beating Like Sully (11-9) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Jennys Surprise (IRE) 15-2 (11-2) Led until 5th, led after next, driven and headed 2 out, 3rd and beaten from last, one pace, 3rd of 7, 6 1/4l behind Racing Pulse (11-5) at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
