started slowly, ran green and always in rear, tailed off
held up towards rear, stumbled and fell over 9f out
in touch on inside, ridden over 3f out, soon outpaced and struggling
led, ridden and headed approaching final 2f, no extra final furlong
towards rear, slightly hampered over 9f out, pushed along and one pace in 7th over 3f out
held up in mid-division, headway on outside to chase leaders over 4f out, ridden over 3f out, one pace and no impression final 2f
pulled hard, raced very wide, headway to chase leader after 2f, very wide on bend over 9f out, reminder and weakened over 6f out, tailed off
towards rear when badly hampered and unseated rider over 9f out
chased leader until over 7f out, soon lost place and behind, tailed off
behind, hampered over 9f out, never involved, tailed off
chased leaders, ridden and outpaced over 4f out, ridden and stayed on again final 2f, stayed onto 2nd last stride
held up towards rear, pushed along 5f out, never involved
chased leaders, went 2nd 7f out, led narrowly approaching final 2f, ridden and hung right over 1f out, soon headed, no impression, lost 2nd last stride
chased leaders, ridden to lead over 1f out, stayed on well
Some powerful stables are represented in this finale and there's sure to be plenty of interest in Paul Nicholls' Foggy's Wall, who has a solid jumping pedigree, and Phillip Hobbs' Bertie Boru, a half-brother to three winners under NH Rules. Unex Degas, third at Exeter on his debut and now blinkered, and Uttoxeter fourth The Mumper may prove the pick of those with experience, though Rainbow Haze went close over C&D last time and is improving with racing while Vering won a point-to-point last June. The Italian Yob cost 32,000euros as a three-year-old but a tentative vote goes to fellow newcomer WHACKO, who hails from a yard that generally does well in contests like this and, given his breeding, is likely to be staying on here when others have cried enough.
Bertie Boru (IRE) Brian Boru gelding out of Sleeven Lady.
Electric Mayhem Alflora gelding out of She's No Muppet.
Fred The Shred (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Green and bucking after start, rear, headway over 5f out, went modest 4th and veered left over 1f out, 4th of 16, 33l behind Cool George (10-0) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn NH flat (6) sft in Jan.
Rainbow Haze 16-1 (10-13) Led, joined over 2f out, soon ridden, edged left under pressure inside final furlong, headed and no extra towards finish, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Gee Hi (11-4) at Taunton 2m 1f mdn NH flat (5) gs in Jan.
River Dancing (IRE) Muhtarram gelding out of Peacefull River.
The Mumper (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway 9f out, ridden 3f out, went 4th over 2f out, no impression, 4th of 14, 17l behind Rugged Jack (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) sft in Dec.
Vering (FR) 9-2 (11-7) Held up; hdwy 14; led flat; stayed on wl, won at Bratton Down 3m ptp gs in Jun beating Choice Connection (12-0) by 4l, 8 ran.
Whacko (IRE) Waky Nao gelding out of Broadcast.
Fairy Mill Fair Mix mare out of Princess Maxine.
Just Hattie Hamairi mare out of Happy Team.
Foggy's Wall (IRE) Golan gelding out of Mrs Masters.
The Italian Yob (IRE) Milan gelding out of The Rebel Lady.
Unex Degas (IRE) 9-2 (10-7) Chased leaders, chased winner inside final 4f, ridden and no impresion when weakened to 3rd entering final furlong, 3rd of 16, 16l behind Cool George (10-0) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn NH flat (6) sft in Jan.
Until Winning (FR) Kapgarde gelding out of Fripperie.
