led until before 2nd, led after next, headed after 4th, weakened before 3 out, pulled up before next
held up in touch on inside, closed from 2 out, went 2nd and every chance when short of room and bumped against false rail flat, held close home
held up, not fluent 4th, soon ridden, well beaten 3 out
held up towards rear, not fluent 3rd, weakened approaching 3 out
soon in touch, challenged after 4th until 3 out, no extra from next
held up in touch in mid-division, closed before 3 out, went 2nd approaching next, led and edged right last, bumped when rival trying to squeeze through against false rail flat, stayed on
held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, one pace next, no extra
tracked leaders on outside, not fluent 3rd, weakened approaching 3 out
prominent, led after 4th, mistake 2 out, headed and bumped last, hung left flat, stayed on one pace
in rear, well behind 4th, pulled up before next
held up, not fluent 4th, soon behind
prominent, took keen hold, led 2nd, headed after next, weakened before 4th, pulled up approaching 3 out
Authorized Too fell heavily at Plumpton earlier this month and that may have affected his confidence. Gone Viral didn't manage a win on the Flat for George Baker but was second at Nottingham last month and twice successful in Ireland last year. Pinnacle Panda and Solomn Grundy have shown signs of ability but Georgian Firebird may need this after a lengthy absence. VERNI also returns from a break but that is rarely a problem for one from his yard and, having been placed twice in bumpers last season for James Ewart, the six-year-old can make a winning start over timber for new connections.
Athou Du Nord (FR) 2-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, ridden and weakened before 2 out, 5th of 6, dist behind Whitsundays (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 5f mdn (5) hvy in Dec.
Authorized Too 7-2 (11-7) Tracking leading pair when fell 6th, at Plumpton 2m (4) sft in Dec.
Baraza (FR) 33-1 (11-0) Close up, pushed along 3 out, weakened before last, 8th of 17, 27l behind Winter Escape (11-0) at Doncaster 2m 1f mdn (5) gs in Dec.
Gone Viral (IRE) 9-2jfav (11-4) Slowly away soon pushed along to go close up over 8f out, tracked leader over 3f out, led going well 2f out, soon edged left, ridden and headed inside final furlong, ran on, 2nd of 15, 3/4l behind Top Diktat (11-4) at Nottingham 1m 2f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Jaunty Thor 6-1 (11-3) Held up in last pair in touch, outpaced over 6f out, rallied to chase leading pair 4f out, ridden and no chance in 3rd final 3f, 3rd of 6, 29 1/4l behind Suit Yourself (11-3) at Bangor 2m 1f (6) sft in Feb.
Pinnacle Panda (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, chased leader until 4th, chased leaders, weakened approaching 2 out, 4th of 8, 14 1/4l behind Knockgraffon (10-12) at Leicester 2m 4f (4) gs in Nov.
Solomn Grundy (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, plugged on same pace approaching 2 out, 4th of 17, 27l behind Vieux Lille (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f (4) hvy in Dec.
Threebarmymen (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) In rear, behind from 4th, 6th of 9, dist behind Clondaw Cian (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 3f (4) sft in Nov.
Verni (FR) 10-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, led over 8f out, ran wide and headed over 3f out, one pace and no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Verona Opera (10-0) at Catterick 2m (5) gs in Jan.
Violoniste (FR) 6-4 (12-2) Ld/disp, 2nd frm 5out & mstk 4out, ld brfly aftr 2out, hdd bef last, no ch with easy wnr, 2nd of 13, 4l behind Skylander (12-2) at Kinsale 3m mdn in May.
Georgian Firebird 40-1 (9-1) Held up in touch, ridden over 4f out, soon weakened, 13th of 16, 12 3/4l behind Lady Yeats (8-12) at Newcastle 2m hcp (5) gs in Oct.
Ninny Noodle 150-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, some headway after 6th, weakened before 3 out, well behind when blundered 2 out, 12th of 15, dist behind Scoppio Del Carro (10-8) at Ludlow 2m (4) sft in Dec.
