badly hampered 1st, behind, mistake next, well behind when pulled up before 6th
slightly hampered 1st, behind, blundered and reminders 6th, mistake 9th, headway to 3rd before 12th, outpaced and no chance with leading pair from 14th, left remote 2nd last
fell 1st
led, hit 7th and joined, pecked 9th, bumped next, hit 14th, ridden and narrowly headed 2 out, 1 length down in 2nd and looked held when fell last
chased leading pair, went 2nd before 11th, (water), joined leader 15th, led narrowly 2 out, about 1 length ahead when left well clear last
chased leader, challenged 7th until lost 2nd before 11th (water), weakened to 4th before next, tailed off when hit 14th, left distant 3rd last
Nonrunner
Neil Mulholland's Topless holds Outside Investor on running at Taunton last month but she is unlikely to play a part in the finish in a race taken to go to SHAKING HANDS. David Pipe's gelding showed improved form last season when winning races in excess of three miles on heavy ground at Uttoxeter and Lingfield and he can make a winning reappearance off just a 1lb higher mark than when a close second behind Paddy's Tern at Towcester when last seen. Nick Mitchell's Newbay Bob is capable but seems booked for a place at best, while Tim Vaughan's House Of Bourbon may prefer faster ground. Charlie Mann's Rebel Melody can race off the same mark as when a close second at Market Rasen earlier this month and he rates the main danger to the selection, Shaking Hands.
Fine By Me (IRE) 14-1 (10-0) In touch, lost place 8th, reminder next, behind when mistake 15th, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Alderburn (11-3) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Oct, 13 ran.
House Of Bourbon (IRE) 12-1 (11-5) Prominent, not fluent and left chasing leader 2nd, not fluent 9th, lost place next, weakened 12th, 4th of 9, 24l behind Ammunition (11-4) at Towcester 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Oct.
Newbay Bob 10-1 (10-6) Led until 1st, chased winner after, not fluent 15th, ridden and no impression 4 out, stayed on from 2 out, not able to challenge, 2nd of 8, 4l behind Sir Bathwick (11-6) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in May.
Shaking Hands (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Held up, reminders after 7th, stumbled slightly 11th, headway next, led 3 out, headed approaching last when pecked, no impression flat, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Paddy's Tern (10-8) at Towcester 3m hcp ch 0-110 (4) sft in Mar.
Rebel Melody (IRE) 6-1 (10-10) Led, driven 2 out, ridden after last, kept on flat, headed and no extra towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Roseneath (11-3) at Market Rasen 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft.
Outside Investor (IRE) 13-2 (9-10) Chased leaders, dropped rear 7th, struggling 10th, no danger after, last of 6, 38l behind Pairc Na Gcapall (11-12) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Oct.
Topless (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway 11th, chased leading pair 5 out, ridden after next, stayed on under pressure to go 2nd last, never reached winner, 2nd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Pairc Na Gcapall (11-12) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Oct.
