tracked leaders, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, blundered and unseated rider 5th
held up mid-division, headway before 7th, ridden before last, one pace
tracked leader, led after 6th, headed 2 out, kept on from last
held up mid-division, ridden before 3 out, weakened before 2 out
towards rear, pushed along before 4 out, never dangerous
led, headed after 6th, pushed along after 4 out, weakened before 3 out
held up mid-division, pushed along before 5 out, went 3rd from 2 out, no extra
in rear, headway 4 out, went 2nd before 3 out, led 2 out, ridden before last, kept on well
towards rear, pushed along before 7th, soon weakened
held up mid-division, weakened from 4 out
Heavenstown is very inconsistent but followed two very poor performances at Uttoxeter with a battling display in very heavy ground at Southwell. Brave Buck completed a very quick double in the autumn on heavy going but has jumped moderately in two subsequent starts when attracting strong support. Markem completed a Sedgefield double in very testing ground last month. He's a chaser in the making and should again go well but FORTY CROWN, who was three lengths behind in the latter of those races, won this last year, has a fair weight advantage and can take his revenge over the longer trip. He's given the vote though You Know Yourself looks a big threat on his return to hurdling as he's on a much lower mark and has been competing at a higher level than this.
Micro Mission (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, lost place approaching 3 out, plugged on from 2 out, went 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 7, 18l behind Wolf Shield (11-7) at Newcastle 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan.
You Know Yourself (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Prominent, mistake 2nd, ridden before 4 out, no extra 2 out, 5th of 10, 17l behind De Boitron (11-1) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd in May.
Forty Crown (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, pushed along after 4th, soon lost place, 3rd of 7, 4l behind Markem (10-6) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) hvy in Jan.
Heavenstown (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Hampered 1st, held up in touch and keen, led 3rd, ridden before last, kept on well, won at Southwell 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) hvy beating Barton Stacey (11-11) by 2l, 12 ran.
Markem (IRE) 3-1 (10-6) Held up mid-division, headway 5th, went 2nd after 2 out, led before last, kept on under pressure run-in, driven out, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) hvy in Jan beating Comeback Colin (11-6) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Baileys Concerto (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Held up, not always fluent, some headway after 6th, lost place before next, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Big Society (11-9) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) hvy in Jan, 11 ran.
Grey Area (IRE) 5-2fav (10-6) Led, ridden and headed before 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, well behind Chavoy (11-9) at Ayr 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) hvy in Jan.
Brave Buck 4-1 (10-2) Tracked leaders, weakened after 5 out, 7th of 8, 43l behind Extreme Impact (10-6) at Haydock 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy in Jan.
Captain Clayton (IRE) 9-2 (11-10) Held up towards rear, pushed along and weakened before 8th, 5th of 8, well behind Jack Albert (10-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd in Dec.
Stickleback 4-1 (11-3) Mid-division on outside, headway after 4 out, soon challenged, ridden 2 out, stayed on to press winner flat, held towards finish, 2nd of 11, 1 1/4l behind Adili (10-0) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Dec.
Delightfully (FR) 4-1 (11-2) Mid-division on inside, outpaced after 4 out, stayed on to chase leaders before 2 out, no impression, 5th of 11, 15l behind Adili (10-0) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Dec.
