held up mid-division, pushed along 6 out, went 3rd before 4 out, kept on same pace
in rear, blundered 7 out, ridden before next, weakened from 4 out, soon pulled up
held up towards rear, headway 6th, fell 8th
held up behind, went 3rd from 5 out, went 4th from 4 out, one pace
close up, lost place 9 out, tailed off, pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, led 3rd, clear before 4 out, kept on well
led to 3rd, remained prominent, reminder after 10th, chased winner before 4 out, kept on and no impression
NORTONTHORPELEGEND completed his hat-trick with a convincing victory over three miles here a fortnight ago and though up another 8lb is progressing fast enough to defy the extra. Bonzo Bing finished a close second to him at Catterick and has to go on the short-list with a massive 14lb pull in the weights. Mango Cap was due to run here yesterday but Grove Silver stays extreme distances and the conditions will be in his favour. Kilbree Chief won a handicap over the course and distance in February and has competed at a higher level subsequently so can go well with his rider's claim to help.
Kilbree Chief (IRE) 9-2fav (10-11) Chased leaders, hampered 1st, weakened after 2 out, 6th of 12, 21 1/2l behind Harry The Viking (10-6) at Kelso 4m hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Grove Silver (IRE) 4-1fav (11-9) Held up, headway to track leaders 10th, ridden 3 out, weakened flat, 5th of 10, 5 1/4l behind Gonalston Cloud (11-12) at Market Rasen 3m 4f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Nortonthorpelegend (IRE) 6-4fav (11-6) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd from 10th, led before last, kept on, won at Ayr 3m hcp (4) sft in Jan beating Whiskey Chaser (11-2) by 7l, 5 ran.
Mossies Well (IRE) 8-1 (11-3) Chased leaders to 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before last, at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Sep.
Bonzo Bing (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Prominent, reminder 5th and 15th, every chance 3 out, no impression on winner flat, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Nortonthorpelegend (10-13) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Jonny Eager (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Towards rear, mistake 11th, soon pushed along, taile doff 12th, pulled up before 14th, at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Settledoutofcourt (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Led until 10th, chased leaders, ridden after 13th, weakened after next, 5th of 7, 34l behind Dancing Shadow (11-4) at Doncaster 3m 2f hcp (3) gd in Dec.
Mango Cap (FR) 10-1 (11-7) Never fluent, last pair, not fluent 2nd and next, left in 5th place and hampered 4th, went modest 3rd 2 out, 3rd of 8, 8l behind Behind The Wire (11-0) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Dec.
