led, driven 4 lengths clear after 2 out, ridden when hard pressed final 120 yards, kept on same pace, headed and no extra towards finish
mid-division, headway after 3 out, ridden after next, kept on same pace, never near leaders
not always fluent, tracked leaders, driven after 2 out, went 2nd and 4 lengths down between last 2, ridden after last, rallied final 120 yards, led towards finish
tracked leader, outpaced 2 out, soon ridden, no impression with front pair before last, lost well held 3rd flat
mid-division, pushed along after 3 out, ridden before next, soon weakened, tailed off
tracked leaders, ridden and one pace after 2 out, stayed on to take well held 3rd flat, no impression
held up towards rear on outside, mistake 2nd, ridden and weakened 2 out, tailed off
raced keenly, held up in rear, struggling before 2 out, soon weakened, tailed off
held up towards rear, pushed along before 2 out, kept on same pace, never threatened leaders
Near Kettering won twice on the Flat and the minimum distance over hurdles should be within his range but it will be a surprise if EARLOFTHECOTSWOLDS doesn’t recoup Market Rasen losses as he was a decent bumper horse who just got caught out by a lack of experience at the Lincolnshire track. Ain't My Fault has hinted at ability while Retrace is likely better than she’s shown so far. A similar comment applies to Lord Springfield, whose yard has hit form in recent days.
Ain't My Fault (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) Led, driven and headed before 2 out, soon ridden and one pace, no chance with clear trio between last 2, 4th of 10, 26 1/4l behind The Con Man (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f (4) hvy in Dec.
Chosen Flame (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, bumped 1st, weakened after 3 out, 6th of 11, 37 1/4l behind Lord Of The Rock (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f (4) gs in Nov.
Earlofthecotswolds (FR) 11-8fav (10-12) Not fluent, raced in 4th behind clear leading pair, mistake 6th, closer in 3rd on long run before 2 out, every chance when mistake and pecked 2 out, went 2nd last 100 yards, well held, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Seemingly So (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f (4) gd in Nov.
Extra Bald (FR) 33-1 (11-0) Prominent, hit 1st, led before 3 out, headed next, weakened last, 5th of 11, 8 1/4l behind Champagne Platinum (11-0) at Newcastle 2m mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Geordielandgangsta 100-1 (10-12) Towards rear, plugged on through beaten horses, never involved, 7th of 13, 23 1/4l behind Asylo (10-12) at Perth 2m (4) sft in Apr.
Lord Springfield (IRE) 3-1 (11-0) Held up in touch, mistake 1st, headway to track leader after 3rd, mistake 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 9, dist behind Bobbie The Dazzler (10-7) at Ayr 2m 4f mdn (5) hvy in Nov.
Near Kettering 25-1 (9-1) In touch in rear, ridden and outpaced over 1f out, last of 6, 11 3/4l behind Redicean (9-7) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (4) pol in Dec.
The Hollow Chap (IRE) 22-1 (10-12) Mid-division, jumped left throughout, headway 4 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 9, dist behind One For Rosie (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f (4) gd in Nov.
Amberose 40-1 (10-7) Keen in rear, never dangerous, 8th of 11, 20 1/4l behind Champagne Platinum (11-0) at Newcastle 2m mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Retrace (FR) 50-1 (11-0) In rear, no impression from 4 out, never a factor, 6th of 9, 27 3/4l behind Put The Kettle On (11-4) at Navan 2m mdn gd in Nov.