chased leaders, mistake 9th, weakened 3 out
held up towards rear, hampered 1st, went 3rd after 3 out, no extra flat
hampered start, held up, mistake and struggling 9th
chased leader, challenged before 2 out, led narrowly towards finish, headed close home
not that fluent, led until 3 out, soon beaten
held up towards rear, went 5th after 3 out, weakened before 2 out
hampered start, reluctant to race and left well behind, continued reluctant until pulled up 2nd
hampered start, towards rear, well beaten 3 out
hampered start, behind, well beaten 3 out, soon pulled up
held up, headway 9th, ridden after 3 out, no extra next
reluctant to race, soon chasing leaders, led 3 out, headed narrowly towards finish, led again close home
Mister Murchan outran big odds at Fontwell and has probably improved a little. Cushuish found only one too good over course and distance earlier this month but Primal Focus has only won over fences so far. Easyrun De Vassy clearly found 2m1f too short at Exeter last month. That was his first run since a wind operation and he’s making his handicap debut so he has to be of interest, though preference is for VAMANOS. The latter was a shade keen at Kelso last time but is almost guaranteed to run his race again and Richard Johnson is back in the saddle for the first time in more than a year. Deputy Jones should appreciate this first try over 3m given his background but he needs to take a few steps forward.
Vamanos (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, mistake 6th, outpaced before 2 out, ridden and stayed on into 2nd after last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Uncle Jonty (10-12) at Kelso 2m 7f (4) hvy in Nov.
Deputy Jones (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Held up well off the pace in rear, always behind, completely tailed off 4 out, remote 5th, 5th of 6, dist behind Poucor (11-1) at Plumpton 2m hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Primal Focus (IRE) 9-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, slow 7th, went 2nd 4 out, challenging when mistake 3 out, led next, stayed on, driven out, won at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Oct beating Write It Down (10-8) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Easyrun De Vassy (FR) 6-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, effort on outside 3 out, never going pace to get on terms, 6th of 14, 22l behind Hang In There (11-0) at Exeter 2m 1f mdn (4) gd in Oct.
Caspers Court (IRE) 50-1 (11-2) Mid-division, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 7th of 11, 23 1/2l behind Trevelyn's Corn (11-2) at Wincanton 2m 4f mdn (5) gs in Mar.
Three Bullet Gate (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Held up in last pair, headway under pressure 10th, ridden and weakened after 3 out, tailed off when pulled up before next, at Southwell 3m hcp (4) gd in May.
Gang Warfare 66-1 (11-2) Behind, jumped left 3rd, headway before 2 out, weakened before last, 7th of 17, 10 1/2l behind I'd Better Go Now (10-13) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Theatre Mix 50-1 (10-8) Held up behind, headway on outside 4 out, outpaced before next, soon weakened, 9th of 12, 30 1/2l behind Perfect Man (11-9) at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Ekayburg (FR) 25-1 (11-3) Hit 1st, pulled hard in rear, headway chasing leaders 3 out, still pulling on long run before next not run on and soon lost place, 9th of 10, 26l behind Catch The Cuban (10-7) at Kempton 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Mister Murchan (IRE) 66-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, every chance 2 out, ridden between last 2, plugged on in 3rd, weakened into 4th run-in, 4th of 9, 6l behind Paseo (10-10) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Cushuish 8-1 (11-10) Chased leading pair who went clear after 5th, closer after 7th, 2nd after 3 out until approaching next, 2nd again at the last, kept on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 2 3/4l behind Viking Ruby (10-10) at Taunton 3m hcp (5) gd in Oct.
