held up, always in rear, struggling before 5 out, tailed off
mid-division, outpaced 5 out, ridden after next, plugged on to take modest 4th flat, no chance with leaders
held up towards rear, fell 8th
mid-division, not fluent 12th, soon pushed along, rallied into 2nd 2 out, kept on same pace, no chance with winner
tracked leaders, went 2nd and poised to challenge on inside after 4 out, led going well before next, clear 2 out, kept on, comfortably
tracked leader, driven and outpaced by front pair before 3 out, soon ridden, well held from next
chased leaders, not fluent 5th, lost place before 14th, behind 5 out, pulled up before next
led, driven and headed before 3 out, weakened from next
The handicapper has taken exception to EXITAS’ recent good form but Lorcan Williams takes off 7lb and his mount was just touched off when trying this longer trip for the first time over hurdles earlier in the week. Brandon Hill is likely to make the running but doesn’t often produce much when push comes to shove. Beat That was almost 12 lengths behind the selection at Chepstow and is only 6lb better off but Double Ross and Ballyboker Breeze are both capable of figuring if putting in a clear round.
Buywise (IRE) 50-1 (10-8) Mid-division, badly hampered and unseated rider 8th (canal turn), at Aintree 4m 2f hcp (1) hvy in Apr.
Pendra (IRE) 80-1 (10-8) Always towards, hampered 8th, weakened before 2 out, pulled up before last, at Aintree 4m 2f hcp (1) hvy in Apr.
Ballyboker Breeze (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Raced wide, chased leaders, went 2nd 11th, led 14th, blundered badly veered left 4 out saddle slipped ran off the track and unseated rider, at Perth 3m hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Beat That (IRE) 4-1fav (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway from 5 out, stayed on into never nearer 4th run-in, 4th of 13, 12 1/4l behind Kings Lad (10-12) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Exitas (IRE) 15-8fav (11-1) Chased leaders, close up 2 out, not quicken before last, rallied and hanging left flat, closing on winner towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1/2l behind Royal Hall (10-9) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp (3) gf in Oct.
Bishops Road (IRE) 16-1 (11-9) Chased leader until 4th, chased leaders, 2nd again approaching 8th until 4 out, chased leaders, jumped slowly 3 out, weakened next, 6th of 13, 19l behind Kings Lad (10-12) at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Double Ross (IRE) 7-1 (11-1) Led, fell 1st, at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Brandon Hill (IRE) 4-1 (11-9) Led, not fluent 11th, headed 2 out, lost 3rd close home, 4th of 11, 10l behind Allysson Monterg (11-12) at Perth 3m hcp (3) sft in Apr.
