led, narrowly headed 9th, led again soon after next, shaken up after 2 out, driven and stayed on flat
chased winner, led narrowly 9th until soon after next, pushed along after 3 out, ridden before last, driven and stayed on flat, always held
not fluent and always last, struggling 13th, tailed off
Official ratings suggests there is nothing between Barrakilla and PERSIAN SNOW. The former hasn't been beaten far at either Catterick or Exeter and should pick up a similar contest soon but there is probably also more to come from Philip Hobbs' gelding, who has his sights lowered a little and is much better than he showed when favourite for a handicap at Kempton last month - he gets the vote. Rio Milan has looked a little one-paced over hurdles but has a chasing pedigree and can't be ignored.
Barrakilla (IRE) 6-4fav (11-0) Chased leaders, mistake 4 out, pushed along and stayed on to 3rd 3 out, ridden and keeping on same pace when hung left under pressure before last, no chance with leading pair, 3rd of 9, 4 1/2l behind Hi George (11-0) at Catterick 2m 3f beg chs (4) gd.
Persian Snow (IRE) 3-1fav (11-8) Tracked leaders in 5th, pushed along before 11th, weakened approaching next, poor 5th last, 5th of 7, 30l behind Giorgio Quercus (11-7) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Nov.
Rio Milan (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Led, not fluent 7th, ridden after 3 out, headed approaching last, weakened flat, 4th of 12, 9l behind Wuff (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f NH mdn hdl (5) hvy.
