led until after 4th, remained prominent, effort 3 out, stayed on same pace after next
tracked leaders, hard driven to challenge before 2 out, soon outpaced by easy winner
pulled hard in mid-division, effort 3 out, soon no impression
behind, mistake 1st, weakened before 3 out, pulled up before next
mid-division, headway on inside to lead after 4th, headed just after 3 out, weakened next
mid-division, headway when hampered 4 out, soon weakened
mid-division, never on terms
held up in rear, headway when fell 4 out
in touch, weakened after 4th, behind when pulled up before 4 out
held up in rear, headway 3 out, weakened next
mid-division, headway 4th, chased leaders next, led on bit after 3 out, drew clear next, very easily
behind, mistake 4th, headway when mistake 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before next
always behind
tracked leaders, hard driven after 3 out, kept on well under pressure, no chance with easy winner
NonRunner
NonRunner
Our Merlin looked ahead of the handicapper when bolting up at Fontwell on Monday, though his winning distance was exaggerated by conditions. This is a lot more competitive and he now has a double penalty to shoulder. TOBACCO ROAD wasn’t quite as impressive here four weeks ago but that was his first run of the season and he can confirm that form with New Millennium, Status Quo and Oscar's Song and defy an 8lb higher mark. Master Vintage is lightly raced for his age and his comeback fourth at Warwick was a decent effort. Primo Blue should find a small handicap this winter but this looks too short. Maid Of Tuscany was third at Southwell last month but she’s only a plater.
New Millennium (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Led set strong pace and soon clear until approaching 4 out, ridden and headed before 2 out, chased winner, well held last, lost 2nd post, 3rd of 15, 3 3/4l behind Tobacco Road (11-1) at Taunton 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Lord Fendale (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Blundered and unseated rider 1st, at Taunton 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Master Vintage 40-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, challenged approaching 3 out, led soon after, hard pressed when hit next, headed between last 2, no impression in 4th flat, 4th of 11, 5 3/4l behind One For Billy (11-10) at Warwick 2m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Whin Park 7-1 (11-12) Always behind, 10th of 14, 24 1/4l behind Hoke Colburn (11-10) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Primo Blue 28-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, chased leaders approaching next, no impression when mistake last, weakened into 5th run-in, 5th of 15, 12 1/2l behind Knocknamona (10-0) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Tobacco Road (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, 2nd after 3 out, led before 2 out, driven clear from last, won at Taunton 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov beating Serveontime (10-11) by 3 3/4l, 15 ran.
I'll Be Your Clown (IRE) 100-1 (11-4) Always towards rear, weakened from 2 out, 7th of 10, 12 3/4l behind Cabernet D'alene (11-7) at Taunton 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Hidden Oasis (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway after 3 out, ridden and weakened before last, 5th of 6, 26 1/4l behind Generous Day (10-9) at Southwell 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Status Quo (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, kept on run-in, never going pace to threaten, 5th of 15, 6 1/4l behind Tobacco Road (11-1) at Taunton 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Jaunty Inflight 12-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders in 4th, weakened from 4 out, tailed off, pulled up before 2 out, at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Franz Klammer 10-1 (11-12) Mid-division, headway 3 out, chasing leaders when blundered and unseated rider 2 out, at Southwell 2m hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Our Merlin Evensfav (10-9) Raced wide, made most, drew clear on bit from 2 out, unchallenged after, very easily, won at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (4) hvy in Dec beating Jebs Gamble (11-2) by 11l, 6 ran.
Oscar's Song (IRE) 9-2fav (10-11) Held up towards rear, headway and plugged on from 2 out, never going pace to get involved, 6th of 15, 10l behind Tobacco Road (11-1) at Taunton 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Empty Marmalades (FR) 100-1 (10-12) Always behind, 10th of 12, dist behind Mister Malarky (10-12) at Kempton 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Mr Lando 10-1 (11-9) Led to after 3rd, tracked leader, led again briefly before 3 out, weakened next, 10th of 17, 35l behind Norse Light (11-4) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Maid Of Tuscany (IRE) 17-2 (11-8) Chased leaders, outpaced 4 out, rallied after next, hampered 2 out, kept on well closing stages, 3rd of 10, 5 1/2l behind Hey Bob (10-0) at Southwell 2m hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Il Sicario (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Tracked leader, under pressure after 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 11, dist behind Thounder (11-4) at Wincanton 1m 7f (4) gd in Oct.
