tracked leader, disputed lead after 8th, driven when not fluent 4 out, soon lost place, weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, driven to lead narrowly before 3 out, ridden before next, headed narrowly last, kept on, no extra towards finish
mid-division, dropped to rear after 5th, struggling 8th, tailed off
held up in touch, ridden and one pace 3 out, never on terms, weakened before last
held up behind in touch, smooth headway 4 out, went 3rd next, one pace when hit 2 out, no chance with front pair before last
soon mid-division on outside, tracked leaders 5th, ridden before 4 out, weakened next, tailed off
made most to 4 out, lost place when mistake next, soon weakened
held up behind in touch, headway after 8th, chased leaders 4 out, kept on same pace, modest 4th from 2 out
held up behind in touch, headway 8th, ridden before 4 out, weakened next
in touch on inside, headway to lead 4 out, headed narrowly before next, regained narrow lead last, ridden out, kept on well towards finish
Mark Pitman has made a solid return to the training ranks and Stop The Press should give a good account here for the yard despite his penalty. However, a 7lb concession to WILD WEST WIND may prove a bridge too far as the Tom George charge was in major contention when falling at the last here on his penultimate start and was not disgraced last time when third in an above average hurdle at Catterick. Consistent Say My Name seems sure to be on the premises too, with You Say What and Mister Kalanisi also of interest.
Stop The Press 6-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, led before 4 out, headed 2 out, ridden before last, led and bumped run-in, kept on well, won at Taunton 2m 3f (4) hvy in Jan beating Grand Introduction (11-5) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
You Say What (IRE) 5-1 (11-8) Chased leaders to before 8th, behind and outpaced when not fluent 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off next, 5th of 7, dist behind Delusionofgrandeur (11-8) at Catterick 3m 1f (4) sft in Jan.
Bel Ami Rich 66-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, lost place halfway, weakened from 3 out, 8th of 9, dist behind Churchtown Champ (10-12) at Taunton 3m mdn (5) hvy in Jan.
Bindon Mill 33-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, ridden before 3 out and badly outpaced, plugged on to take 4th before last, never dangerous, 3rd of 7, 13l behind Vieux Lille (11-5) at Exeter 2m 3f (4) hvy in Jan.
Just Bill (IRE) 14-1 (10-12) Held up in 5th, driven 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before next, at Chepstow 3m (4) hvy in Dec.
Kerry's Lord (IRE) 250-1 (11-2) Not fluent 1st, with leader, led after 2nd to 4th, tracked winner, lost place 4 out, weakened before 2 out, tailed off, 4th of 5, dist behind Quinto (11-2) at Catterick 3m 1f (4) sft in Jan.
Master Ally (IRE) 25-1 (11-0) Led, not fluent 5th, headed before next, behind when pulled up before 3 out, at Stratford 2m 6f mdn (5) sft in Oct.
Mister Kalanisi (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, headway before 3 out, ridden before last, soon no extra, 5th of 17, 15 3/4l behind Winter Escape (11-0) at Doncaster 2m 1f mdn (5) gs in Dec.
Say My Name (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd from 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 11l behind Churchtown Champ (10-12) at Taunton 3m mdn (5) hvy in Jan.
Wild West Wind (IRE) 9-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, chased winner 8th to 3 out, ridden and outpaced in 3rd before next, well held after, weakened flat, 3rd of 7, 18l behind Delusionofgrandeur (11-8) at Catterick 3m 1f (4) sft in Jan.
