led, took keen hold, mistake 4th, headed approaching 8th, soon under pressure, lost place before 3 out, tailed off
mid-division, headway to chase leaders halfway, driven to challenge approaching 2 out, weakened last
held up, in touch, smooth headway 3 out, every chance from last and throughout run in, kept on well
in touch, took closer order 3rd, every chance 3 out, led before next, headed last, no extra closing stages
in touch, headway 8th, chased leaders after next, weakened 2 out
in touch, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, every chance last, kept on same pace
behind, headway approaching last, never on terms
held up, towards rear, headway 8th, chased leaders next, weakened 3 out
mid-division, under pressure 3 out, never dangerous
held up, towards rear, headway 3 out, soon chasing leaders, led last, soon strongly challenged, all out (1 hurdle omitted)
tracked leader, not fluent 6th, led before 8th, headed after 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, slow 3rd, struggling 7th, soon behind, tailed off from 3 out
Nonrunner
THAT’S GONNA STING escapes a penalty for his facile win in a conditionals’ race at Ludlow 10 days ago under Robert Hawker. This trip clearly suits and Jeremy Scott’s charge can deny recent course and distance winner Culm Counsellor the hat-trick. Port Navas is respected but has been raised 5lb since his half-length second at Fontwell. He’s preferred to Towcester runner-up Song Of The Night and Yur Next, second over 2m4f here last time.
Bilidn 20-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders on inside, ridden and weakened before 7th, tailed off 3 out, pulled up before next, at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (5) gs in Nov.
That's Gonna Sting (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) In touch, went 3rd before 3 out, led 3 out, kept on well from last, won at Ludlow 3m hcp (5) gs in Nov beating Boher Lad (10-13) by 7l, 13 ran.
Song Of The Night (IRE) 3-1jfav (11-5) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, headed 2 out, mistake last, kept on, 2nd of 10, 3 3/4l behind Fled Or Pled (11-1) at Towcester 3m hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Port Navas (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Led after 1st, clear from 6th, ridden before 2 out, tired flat, headed closing stages, 2nd of 12, 1/2l behind Magic Mustard (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (5) gs in Nov.
Bored Or Bad (IRE) 20-1 (11-2) Held up, mistake 2nd, last 5th, behind 7th, pulled up before 4 out, at Ludlow 3m hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Yur Next (IRE) 15-2 (11-1) Chased leader until 6th, chased leaders, pushed along in 2nd again before 2 out until ridden between last 2, 3rd and one pace run-in, 3rd of 11, 5 1/4l behind Lets Go Dutchess (11-2) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Titch Strider (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, weakened from 6th, 5th of 11, 17 3/4l behind On The Road (11-12) at Exeter 2m 6f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Culm Counsellor 7-2 (10-0) Tracked clear leading pair, closer from 7th, 2nd after 3 out, challenged last, ridden to lead run-in, wandered in front but kept on, driven out, won at Taunton 3m hcp (4) gd in Nov beating Fair To Middling (11-12) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Withy Mills 25-1 (10-13) Held up in touch, weakened before 2 out, 8th of 11, 26 1/2l behind On The Road (11-12) at Exeter 2m 6f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Dropzone (USA) 4-1 (10-4) With leaders, driven and lost place after 3 out, one pace next, took narrow 3rd approaching last, kept, no chance with clear pair, 3rd of 11, 26 1/4l behind On The Road (11-5) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Relentless (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Held up in last pair, struggling before 4 out, tailed off, 8th of 9, dist behind Honour Promise (10-5) at Chepstow 2m (5) gs in Oct.
Sovinnie (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Led, headed before 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 8, 33 3/4l behind Hey Bill (11-0) at Worcester 2m 4f mdn (5) gd in Oct.
Minmore Grey (IRE) 16-1 (10-3) Always behind, tailed off 12th, 8th of 9, 32 1/2l behind Somerset Lias (11-12) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp (5) gd in Nov.
