chased leaders, pushed along before 4 out, never on terms, weakened from 2 out
held up behind, struggling 11th, soon lost touch, tailed off when pulled up 5 out
led, headed narrowly after 11th, ridden and unable to go with winner after 5 out, lost 2nd after next, stayed on when hard pressed for modest 3rd from last
raced keenly, held up behind, headway 11th, tracked front pair when not fluent 5 out, went 2nd after next, ridden after 3 out, kept on, not reach winner
tracked leader, led narrowly after 11th, clear 4 out, pecked last, ridden out flat, kept on
held up towards rear, pushed along and lost touch after 11th, plugged on from last, never a threat
tracked leaders, driven after 5 out, stayed on to press for modest 3rd from last, no impression
NonRunner
Holdbacktheriver is just 2lb higher than his victory at Bangor in January but may find this on the short side. LOVE LANE, three times a winner over hurdles, made a very promising start over fences at Market Rasen and with her rider claiming 10lb looks well treated. Shanahan's Turn, runner-up in last year's Topham at Aintree, has been running poorly but takes a drop in class. Twasn't The Plan continues to find one too good from this mark but Eceparti scored over fences in France and was confined to hurdles last winter. On The Road was a disappointing favourite here last time but has dropped to a lowly mark while The Brothers appeared to react positively to a change of surrounding on his reappearance at Hereford. Beni Light scored at Uttoxeter in September and has continued to run well but is 10lb higher.
Holdbacktheriver (IRE) 20-1 (11-6) Always behind, 11th of 13, dist behind Orchardstown Cross (11-5) at Exeter 3m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Love Lane (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Held up last, hit 8th, outpaced after next, headway approaching 2 out, went 2nd at the last, kept on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 6l behind If You Say Run (10-12) at Worcester 2m 4f (4) gs in Oct.
Shanahan's Turn (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Led until 2nd, soon led again, not fluent and struggling 12th, well beaten before 5 out, left remote 2nd before next, 2nd of 4, dist behind Lovely Job (11-5) at Chepstow 3m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Twasn't The Plan (IRE) 9-2 (11-9) In touch in rear, pecked on landing 5th, headway when blundered 4 out, chased winner next, ridden and keeping on one pace when not fluent last, 2nd of 6, 3 3/4l behind Thomas Todd (11-0) at Fakenham 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Eceparti (FR) Evensfav (11-7) Led, strongly challenged after 3 out, headed before last, no extra closing stages, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Destined To Shine (11-6) at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Mar.
On The Road (IRE) 10-3fav (11-13) Held up behind, headway 10th, outpaced before 5 out, weakened next, tailed off, 6th of 10, 21l behind Big Meadow (11-1) at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) sft in Nov.
The Brothers (IRE) 11-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway 4 out, ridden to chase front pair after next, close up in 3rd when hampered and lost place after last, rallied flat, 4th of 11, 2 3/4l behind Cuban Pete (11-3) at Hereford 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Beni Light (FR) 5-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, led after 5 out, mistake next, not fluent 3 out, ridden when hard pressed after 2 out, kept on, headed and no extra near finish, 2nd of 9, 3/4l behind Heavenly Promise (10-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
