led until 6th, remained prominent until weakened after 10th, behind when pulled up before 12th
reminders after 2nd, mistake 10th, always behind, pulled up before 11th
held up, headway 5th, outpaced 4 out, weakened 3 out
always prominent, led 6th, clear when shaken up approaching last, comfortably
held up in touch, jumped slowly 5th, fell 7th
prominent, 2nd when unseated rider 7th
not jump well, always behind, lost touch 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
soon pushed along in rear, nearly fell 9th, tailed off when mistake last
prominent, chased winner approaching 13th, ridden 4 out, close up 3 out, no impression approaching 2 out
mid-division, headway 8th, ridden after 12th, losing touch when mistake 5 out
behind, mistaken 9th, fell 10th
not fluent, never going well, lost touch from 8th, tailed off when mistake 3 out
held up in touch, jumped slowly 4th, chased winner 8th until approaching 13th, no impression from 4 out
Music To My Ears can defy an absence to score over Pillar Of Fire, Sunday Habits and Honneur Fontenail. Music To My Ears has not seen a great deal of action over the past two seasons, but has a good record overall, having won four of his eight career starts. It has to be said that he was the luckiest of winners on his last outing at Market Rasen in October, having been presented with the race when the three in front of him departed. Nevertheless, at the age of seven he has plenty of scope, and if Jonjo O'Neill has him fit enough, he can return with a bang. Pillar Of Fire steps up in trip and has blinkers on for the first time to help his cause, so he should play a part, while Sunday Habits goes well fresh so do not be surprised if he figures in the shake-up. Honneur Fontenail was pulled up at Newton Abbot, having earlier scored at Worcester, and a first-time visor may keep his mind on the job. Nothing appeals greatly, but Music To My Ears can pay to follow.
Mr Nemo (IRE) 33-1 (11-9) Led to 2nd, chased leader, ridden and weakened 4 out and pulled up 3 out in race won by Laskari (11-9) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcp chs 0-110 (D) gs in Jan, 11 ran.
Fear Siuil (IRE) 4-1 (10-4) Held up, took closer order after 8th, one pace from 3 out, 6th of 11, 30l behind Shaadiva (11-12) at N Abbot 2m 5f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gf.
Music To My Ears (IRE) 10-3 (11-8) Chased leaders, ridden and lost touch 4 out, 30 lengths 3rd when left alone last, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) sft in Oct beating Avadi (10-10) by a distance, 7 ran.
Alpine Slave 7-2 (11-2) Chased leaders until 9th, ridden after 11th, one pace from next, 4th of 8, 4l behind Joint Authority (11-1) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf in May.
Macgyver (NZ) 20-1 (11-5) Held up in touch, lost place 4th, soon behind, 12th of 19, 38l behind Faddad (11-11) at Worcester 2m sll hcp hdl (G) gf.
Sunday Habits (IRE) 100-1 (9-7) Always behind, tailed off from 7th, 9th of 13, well behind Davoski (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gd in Nov.
Honneur Fontenail (FR) 12-1 (10-6) Mid-division, driven along from 8th, lost touch quickly after 11th and pulled up at the 12th in race won by Uncle Mick (11-12) at N Abbot 3m 2f hcp 0-100 (F) gf, 11 ran.
Pillar of Fire (IRE) 4-1fav (10-10) In touch, outpaced 4 out, soon ridden, kept on from 2 out, no impression, 4th of 16, 10l behind Phildari (10-5) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-90 (F) gf in Jul.
