held up towards rear, went remote 5th before 2 out, never dangerous
chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, soon in rear, hit 5th, pushed along 7th, reminders before 11th, tailed off and pulled up before 5 out
held up in rear, weakened before 6 out, tailed off and pulled up before 5 out
chased leader, led 5th, hit 10th, headed 12th, with leader, hit 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up
in touch, soon dropped to mid-division, reminders before 5 out, soon outpaced, plugged on to go 3rd before last , no impression
held up mid-division, dropped towards rear 9th, tracked leaders 5 out, chased winner before last, kept on and no impression
held up mid-division in 4th, went 2nd before 3 out until before last, weakened run-in
tracked leaders in 3rd, led 12th, clear before last, ridden run-in, kept on well
led to 5th, tracked leader, weakened before 5 out, tailed off, pulled up
Our Mick has always been held in high regard but is possibly still a few pounds too high in the weights, though he did finish second in a Grade 3 at The Festival in March when Pete The Feat was well beaten and Loch Ba and Quartz De Thaix both failed to finish. What A Warrior was second at Chepstow on his reappearance but may not have finished ahead of the staying-on Pete The Feat had that one not fallen at the last. Malt Master has yet to prove he stays this far but there are no stamina doubts surrounding MOUNTAINOUS and, with the going also in his favour, Richard Lee's charge is taken to reverse Newbury running last season with Loch Ba despite re-opposing on identical terms. Midnight Appeal has his first run over fences since falling at Cheltenham 18 months ago and may be best watched on this occasion.
Quartz de Thaix (FR) 66-1 (11-12) Mid-division, lost place 5th, behind when blundered and pulled up after 11th, in a race won by Golden Chieftain (10-2) at Cheltenham 3m hcp chs G3 (1) sft in Mar, 24 ran.
Our Mick 10-1 (11-9) Close up, blundered 6 out, went 2nd before 4 out, weakened next, blundered 2 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Godsmejudge (11-3) at Ayr 4m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr, 24 ran.
Malt Master (IRE) 20-1 (11-1) In touch, blundered 2nd, soon lost place, mistake 4 out, well beaten next, 12th of 16, 38l behind Johns Spirit (10-3) at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp chs (2) gd in Oct.
Pete The Feat (IRE) 11-4fav (10-13) Chased leaders, mistake 8th, went 2nd 4 out, every chance when mistake 2 out, ridden and 1 length down when fell last, in a race won by Al Co (11-0) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-150 (2) gd in Oct, 14 ran.
What A Warrior (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, mistake 3rd, pushed along 5 out, outpaced 4 out, stayed on from 2 out, left 3 lengths 2nd at the last, strong run and closed flat, every chance towards finish, not pace of winner close home, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind Al Co (11-0) at Chepstow 3m hcp chs 0-150 (2) gd in Oct.
Loch Ba (IRE) 18-1 (11-1) Held up mid-division, reminders before 13th, headway before 4 out, soon ridden, weakened 2 out, 5th of 18, 37l behind Battle Group (10-9) at Aintree 3m 1f lstd hcp chs (1) gd in Apr.
Mountainous (IRE) 15-8fav (11-1) Tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd from 8th, joined leader 3 out, led before 2 out, soon ridden, hung left before last, all out, won at Ffos Las 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Mar beating Benheir (11-5) by 1l, 5 ran.
Midnight Appeal 33-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, not fluent 6th, driven and well beaten after 4 out, 17th of 20, well behind Battle Group (11-9) at Haydock 3m hcp hdl (2) gd in May.
Golden Call (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Led and clear, ridden and headed before last, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 12l behind Grandads Horse (11-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Oct.
