disputed lead, led 14th, kept on well
towards rear, steady headway 16th, ridden 3 out, weakened last
mid-division, ridden 12th, weakened next, pulled up before 16th
mid-division, mistake 7th, headway to chase leaders 12th, weakened 16th
towards rear, headway 14th, ridden to chase leaders 18th, weakened after 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden 16th, chased winner from 2 out, one pace
always in rear, behind from 9th, pulled up before 17th
in touch, mistake 14th, weakened next, pulled up before 17th
made most, headed and mistake 14th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
Nonrunner
Arnold Layne can win this while Bengo and Topless are both worth noting. The selection is bidding for a hat-trick after wins at Towcester and Uttoxeter this season and although he now has to carry nine pounds more he looks well capable of improving once more. Bengo has showed signs of ability this year having finished second to Finzi on his penultimate run and was not discredited at Fontwell last time out so has to be note while Topless ran well on her return to the track and comes from a trainer who is just starting to have the odd winner so is to be noted in the betting market. But for the winner we return to Arnold Layne.
Arnold Layne (IRE) 7-2fav (11-2) Led to 6th, pressed leader, led 12th to 14th, left in lead 2 out, stayed on well flat, won at Uttoxeter 3m nov chs (4) gd in Nov beating Willies Way (11-2) by 7l, 10 ran.
Bengo (IRE) 9-2 (11-5) Towards rear, ridden and chased leaders 4 out, kept on same pace after, 4th of 14, 7l behind Finzi (9-12) at Fontwell 3m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Charango Star 11-2 (11-5) Soon driven along towards rear, struggling after 11th, tailed off, 6th of 9, 47l behind Harrycone Lewis (11-4) at Newbury 3m 2f amt hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Victory Gunner (IRE) 20-1 (11-6) In touch, headway to chase leaders 10th until weakened after 16th, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Harrycone Lewis (11-4) at Newbury 3m 2f amt hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Topless (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, led 15th, mistake and headed 3 out, kept on one pace flat, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Fine By Me (11-5) at Plumpton 3m 2f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Nov.
The Gangerman (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Chased leaders, blundered 9th, ridden after 5 out, soon weakened, 4th of 14, 22l behind Ibberton (10-4) at Chepstow 3m nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Nov.
Francines-Boy (IRE) 14-1 (11-1) Towards rear, ridden, headway 2 out, soon one pace, 6th of 16, 29l behind Mighty Fine (12-1) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Jul.
Predestine (FR) 7-2 (11-12) Prominent, chased leader 4th, pecked 5th, hit 12th and lost place, close up when blundered 17th, weakened 4 out, 3rd of 6, 15l behind Treasulier (11-3) at Wincanton 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Mar.
Ironside (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Chased leaders until dropped rear 6th, tailed off when pulled up at the 11th in race won by Oakfield Legend (11-5) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Nov, 16 ran.
Keenan's Future (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) In touch, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 13, 13l behind Delray Beach (10-6) at Hexham 4m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Nov.
Special Conquest 11-2 (10-13) Chased leaders until weakened after 16th, 5th of 9, 31l behind Harrycone Lewis (11-4) at Newbury 3m 2f amt hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Good Book (IRE) 11-1 (11-4) Prominent, led 4th, hit 18th, ridden clear approaching 2 out, ridden out, won at Warwick 3m 5f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gd in Mar beating Grenfell (10-13) by 7l, 9 ran.
