chased leaders, mistake 8th, hard driven 4 out, weakened next, in rear when refused 2 out
led, mistake 8th, headed 12th, soon rallied, weakened after 3 out
tracked leader, ridden to challenge before 4 out, weakening and in rear when blundered next, soon pulled up
held up towards rear, headway 5 out, led before 3 out, hard driven approaching last, stayed on strongly
behind, mistakes 4th and 10th, pulled up 12th
mid-division, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, kept on same pace approaching last
in touch, slow 2nd, reminders 5th, soon struggling, pulled up 12th
tracked leader, led 12th, soon pressed, headed approaching 3 out, rallied last, no extra closing stages
mid-division, under pressure 4 out, never on terms
mid-division, headway 2 out, stayed on after last, never able to challenge
Merchant Of Milan won by a short-head at Warwick three weeks ago but doesn't appeal as the type to follow up off a 7lb higher mark. John Louis won a better race at Bangor but has been raised 10lb. Netherby has a lengthy absence to overcome while Daveron is only making slow progress but Shockingtimes could give a boost to Marden Court's third here last month earlier on the card. ABIGAIL LYNCH (NAP), a winner here over hurdles, will have needed the outing when a well-beaten third at Haydock last month. Dropped a grade for this, Nigel Twiston-Davies' mare can open her account over the larger obstacles.
Lewis 14-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, mistake 1st, ridden after 10th, weakening when baulked 3 out, last of 7, dist behind April Dusk (11-1) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
John Louis 6-1 (11-0) Tracked leader until 4th, prominent, headway to press leader 2 out, led next, ridden and ran on, won at Bangor 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Nov beating Dartford Warbler (11-2) by 2l, 8 ran.
Abigail Lynch (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, slow 4th, under pressure 5 out, never a threat, 3rd of 7, 25l behind Arthur's Oak (11-2) at Haydock 2m hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Daveron (IRE) 6-1 (11-8) Held up, jumped left at times, headway 5th, lost place 8th, behind 4 out, rallied approaching last, stayed on, 3rd of 7, 5 1/4l behind Cappielow Park (11-7) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Netherby 5-1 (11-0) Held up, headway tracking leaders and slightly hampered 5th, 2nd approaching next, stayed pressing winner and every chance, pushed along before 3 out, driven before 2 out, soon held, 2nd of 6, 10l behind Luci Di Mezzanotte (10-7) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f (4) gd in Jul.
Sidbury Hill 3-1jfav (11-7) With leader, hit 5 out, soon weakened, fell 2 out, at Taunton 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Too Scoops (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Led to 4th, chased winner, ridden and weakened before 3 out, 6th of 8, 23 1/4l behind Balgarry (11-10) at Taunton 2m 2f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Marden Court (IRE) 3-1jfav (10-11) Towards rear, headway 8th , lost place 12th, ridden 16th, one pace from 4 out, 3rd of 7, 15l behind Shockingtimes (11-6) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Saint Breiz (FR) 10-1 (10-7) Behind, struggling 12th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, at Taunton 2m 7f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Merchant Of Milan 11-2 (11-2) Tracked leader, challenged 10th, led after 3 out, headed narrowly next, soon ridden, regained narrow lead last, edged right under pressure flat, just held on, won at Warwick 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Dec beating I Am Colin (11-12) by shd, 8 ran.
