held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, ridden after next, stayed on same pace last
mid-division, outpaced after 3 out, well beaten from next
tracked leaders, took keen hold, eased and pulled up after 3 out
mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, chasing leaders on last bend, no extra last
with leader, led after 2nd, headed before last, soon weakened
held up in rear, lost touch from 5th, well tailed off next, soon pulled up
held up towards rear, headway 3 out, chasing leaders after next, weakened flat
held up in rear, headway after 3 out, 3rd from last, stayed on, unable to challenge
soon led, headed after 2nd, stayed prominent, led before last, hung left flat, driven and stayed on well to assert towards finish
led early, tracked leaders, every chance before last, no extra final 100 yards
tracked leaders, lost place when not fluent 5th, soon in rear
held up towards rear, headway 2 out, challenged last, stayed on, held towards finish
Nicky Henderson’s pair, Gaitway and William Henry, are both returning from lengthy lay-offs but are interesting nonetheless. Poetic Rhythm has smart bumper form to his name but gives the impression he’ll be better over further. Ballyhill carries a double penalty and the form of his two wins haven’t really worked out but there should be more to come from Warwick scorer Midnight Maestro and the hat-trick seeking Misterton. SUMKINDOFKING steps up in grade after making a winning start over timber at Southwell but should be up to the task as he’s held in high regard by connections. Brio Conti was too keen at Haydock last month and will need to settle better if he’s to fulfil his potential.
Ballyhill (FR) 9-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders and keen, headway 3 out, chased winner before 2 out, ridden before last, no extra, 4th of 5, 6 3/4l behind Tahira (10-13) at Haydock 2m lst (1) sft in Nov.
Midnight Maestro 7-4 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 3 out, not much room when close up 2 out, not clear run approaching last, soon switched right, led flat, ran on well, won at Warwick 2m (4) gs in Nov beating Desaray (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Misterton 15-8 (10-12) Took keen hold, tracked leaders, challenged last, led run-in, soon ridden and edged left final 100 yards, stayed on, won at Taunton 2m (4) gd in Nov beating Winningtry (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Sumkindofking (IRE) 2-5fav (11-0) Held up towards rear on outside, headway 4 out, went 2nd after next, challenging when left in lead 3 out, driven and went clear flat, won at Southwell 2m mdn (5) gs in Nov beating Fattsota (11-0) by 4l, 14 ran.
Brio Conti (FR) 9-4fav (10-12) Tracked leader and keen, led before last, headed last 100 yards, kept on and held close home, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Constantine Bay (10-12) at Haydock 2m 3f (3) hvy in Nov.
City Never Sleeps (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, driven along and struggling after 3 out, never a factor, 8th of 11, 18 3/4l behind Misterton (10-12) at Taunton 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Gaitway 2-5fav (10-12) Chased leader, challenging when not fluent 2 out, soon led, driven flat, headed towards finish, 2nd of 4, 1 1/2l behind Urubu D'irlande (10-12) at Wincanton 2m (3) gs in Nov.
Lieutenant Gruber (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, soon tracking leaders, hit 7th, 2nd after 3 out until pushed along before next, 3rd and held when slithered on landing and fell 2 out, at Market Rasen 2m 3f (4) gs in Nov.
Pingshou (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, went 3rd from 2 out, no extra from last, 4th of 13, 6 3/4l behind Jenkins (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn (3) sft in Nov.
Poetic Rhythm (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) In touch in mid-division, closed 7f out, challenged 5f out, led over 3f out, driven out inside final furlong, won at Cheltenham 2m lst (1) sft in Nov beating Boreham Bill (11-0) by 1l, 11 ran.
Thehossbehind (IRE) 80-1 (11-8) Towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, weakened well before next, 8th of 13, 21 3/4l behind Finula (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m mdn (5) gs in Nov.
William Henry (IRE) 5-6fav (11-8) Tracked leaders, led over 2f out, clear over 1f out, easily, won at Ayr 2m (3) gd in Apr beating Sir Will (11-3) by 8l, 8 ran.
