went left 1st, tracked leader, led after 4 out to before next, soon lost place, no impression from 2 out
led, headed after 4 out, regained lead before next, ridden and headed between last 2, no chance with winner in clear 2nd flat
raced keenly, mid-division, weakened after 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before next
mid-division, lost place after 4 out, no chance with leaders
held up towards rear, headway into mid-division 4 out, kept on same pace, weakened last
in touch on outside, lost place 5th, behind when mistake 4 out, tailed off when mistake 2 out, pulled up before last
mid-division, chased leaders briefly after 4 out, soon weakened, behind when pulled up before next
held up towards rear, headway 4 out, chased leading pair before next until 2 out, never on terms
tracked leaders, ridden after 4 out, soon lost place, stayed on to take modest 3rd approaching last, no chance with front pair
mid-division, headway 4 out, went 2nd before next, driven to lead between last 2, clear when went left last, stayed on well, comfortably
tracked leaders, pushed along 4 out, soon lost place, weakened next
held up, always in rear, struggling 4 out, tailed off when pulled up before next
Clan William failed to figure at this track last time racing under a penalty for his earlier win at Uttoxeter. It could be a similar story today, while Choisan was still beaten a distance despite finishing third at Carlisle and Pulpitarian makes more appeal. The latter finished closer at Kelso on his latest start and Secrete Steam ran well over these obstacles last month and has decent claims. But a chance is taken on RETRIEVE making a winning start over timber given the Group 3 winner was rated 110 on the Flat for Godolphin and could prove the one to beat if taking to hurdling.
Clan William (IRE) 10-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, mistake 5th, weakened before last, 6th of 12, 19l behind Diamond King (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Allied Answer 8-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, weakened from 2 out, 5th of 11, 38l behind Morning Royalty (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec '12.
Baile Atha Cliath (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Held up in rear on outside, mistakes, well beaten 5th, tailed off, 9th of 13, 50l behind Oscars Den (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Choisan (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Took keen hold tracking leaders, hit 6th, went 2nd before 2 out, hit 2 out and lost 2nd, hung right and dropped to 4th before the last, rallied to modest 3rd again flat, 3rd of 10, 25l behind Meadowcroft Boy (10-9) at Carlisle 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Ever Fortune (USA) 33-1 (10-12) In touch, took keen hold, effort 3 out, weakening when hit next, 7th of 16, 12l behind Wadswick Court (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Oorayvic (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Held up in touch, mistake 3rd, bumped 5th, weakened 7th, 9th of 11, well behind Letsby Avenue (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Jun.
Pulpitarian (USA) 7-2fav (10-12) Held up, headway 5th, every chance last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 14, 5l behind Tough Trade (10-12) at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs.
Retrieve (AUS) 16-1 (9-10) Held up mid-division, ridden over 1f out, kept on and impression, 7th of 23, 7l behind Art Scholar (8-7) at Doncaster 1m 4f hcp (2) gd in Nov '12 (flat).
Rocky Stone (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, 9th of 15, 42l behind Masquerade (10-9) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs.
Secrete Stream (IRE) 17-2 (10-12) Held up mid-division, headway after 4 out, kept on to take 2nd close home, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 4 1/2l behind Diamond King (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Sleepy Eye (IRE) 3-1 (11-9) Mstks early, gd prog to ldrs 3out, rdn 2out, kow best from last, won at Castletown-Geoghegan 3m ire ptp gd in Oct beating Elfego Baca (11-9) by 1/2l, 9 ran.
Swiftly Done (IRE) 14-1 (8-8) In touch, effort when short of room over 2f out, soon weakened, 15th of 20, 18l behind Levitate (9-1) at Doncaster 7f hcp 105 (2) sft in Nov (flat).
Utopian 22-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, ridden over 1f out, soon faded, 9th of 14, 20l behind Chidswell (11-2) at Newcastle 2m mdn NH flat (6) gd in Nov.
