chased leaders, led after 4 out, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on same pace
chased leaders, weakened from 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
in rear, weakened from 5th
chased leaders, led briefly 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out
held up, headway to track leaders 4 out, weakened next
chased leader, blundered when weakening 4th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, headway after 4 out, mistake 3 out, weakening when blundered last
held up mid-division, headway 4 out, weakened next
held up, ridden 4 out, weakened after next
led to 5th, weakened 4 out
Scriptwriter is selected ahead of Akarem and Rodrigo Gonzales. The former Godolphin horse attracted more than a few names in his flat career and the equation looks simple on paper. He could either go well or bomb badly depending on what goes on in his mind. Akarem was a fair horse on the level. He won decisively on hurdling debut although has to give away a penalty to unexposed rivals. Former pointer, Rodrigo Gonzales hails from an unfashionable yard and could be anything. The market is watched. Tucker was a cheap purchase given his rating on the level. He looked unfortunate to run up against a high class recruit on debut. Greenbelt was well held on debut but can improve for this better ground. Wood Fern looked ordinary on debut while King's Account, who won off marks in the 90's is an interesting, if not rather late recruit, to hurdling. Pagan Sword was a tricky horse to catch right on the level and looks not disimilar over hurdles. A real punt has to be taken about Scriptwriter who may have the ability but might not have the attitude to strike out in this game.
Akarem 13-8fav (10-12) Tracked leaders, led after 3 out, left clear last, stayed on well, eased flat, comfortably, won at Kelso 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov beating Chief Scout (10-12) by 12l, 16 ran.
Rodrigo Gonzales (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Chased leader, led 2 out, driven clear flat, won at Ayr 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Nov beating Carrick Dhu (10-5) by 6l, 10 ran.
Ding Dang Do 50-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, 9th of 10, well behind Border Fox (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Duke of Malfi 66-1 (10-12) Raced keenly in touch, ridden 4 out, weakened next, 9th of 16, 38l behind Montana Slim (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Greenbelt 25-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, hit 6th, challenging when not much room 2 out, soon weakened, 6th of 16, 24l behind Moonhawk (10-9) at Carlisle 2m 1f mdn hdl (5) hvy in Nov.
Hatton Rock (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden 7th, soon weakened, 9th of 10, well behind Hills Of Aran (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
King's Account (USA) 20-1 (10-13) Soon led, headed and hung left 2f out, held when not much room just over 1f out, soon weakened, 13th of 17, 7l behind Terminate (11-3) at Warwick 1m 3f amt hcp 0-60 (6) gf in Oct (Flat).
King In Waiting (IRE) 8-1 (9-7) Chased leaders in moderate 4th, 5th and no impression from over 4f out, eased final furlong, 5th of 8, 10l behind Consulate (9-1) at Down Royal 1m 5f stk gd in Sept (Flat).
Pagan Sword 28-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, never dangerous, 9th of 18, 21l behind Prince Taime (10-12) at Warwick 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Pennine Moon 50-1 (10-9) In touch, lost place 4 out, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Kingscourt Lad (10-7) at Doncaster 2m 3f nov hdl (4) gf, 17 ran.
Scriptwriter (IRE) 11-2 (9-7) Held up mid-division, smooth headway to lead briefly 2f out, driven and no extra final furlong, 3rd of 19, 3 1/2l behind Purple Moon (9-4) at York 1m 6f hcap (2) gd in Aug (Flat).
Terminate (GER) 11-1 (11-4) Held up, headway approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out, 8th of 14, 13l behind Fantasy Legend (10-1) at Ludlow 2m nov clm hdl (5) gs.
The Masters Lesson 50-1 (10-12) Held up, weakened from 5th, 8th of 10, well behind Border Fox (10-9) at Market Rasen 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Wood Fern (UAE) 100-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, ridden and weakened before 3 out, 9th of 14, 46l behind Blue Bajan (10-12) at Leicester 2m nov hdl (4) gf.
Blushing Hilary (IRE) 25-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, went 3rd briefly after 6th, 4th and weakening when blundered badly 3 out, left moderate 3rd last, 3rd of 8, 20l behind Knockavilla (11-0) at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (3) gf in Nov.
Miss Lightning 25-1 (10-1) Held up, driven 6f out, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 10, well behind Cast Iron Casey (11-4) at Wetherby 2m nhf (5) gs in Feb.
Tucker 11-4fav (11-0) Held up and keen, headway after 4 out, chased winner after 2 out, hit last, no impression, 2nd of 11, 8l behind Knight Valliant (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m mdn hdl (5) gd.
