tracked leaders, 2nd from 2nd until before 6th, outpaced approaching 3 out, soon weakened
held up in mid-division, headway approaching 6th, led 3 out, clear flat, ran on well
mid-division, in touch 6th, outpaced after 4 out, weakened before next
held up towards rear, headway 6th, outpaced after 4 out, rallied 3 out, 2nd next, no impression on winner flat, stayed on same pace
tracked leader until 2nd, led 6th, headed on bend and bumped before 3 out, no extra in 4th 2 out
led, not fluent 4th, headed 6th, not fluent next or 4 out, led and squeezed though on inside to hold position on bend before 3 out, headed at hurdle, 3rd and beaten last, edged left and stayed on same pace flat
never going that well, always in rear, mistake 8th, soon lost touch, well tailed off
Mighty Leader was fancied for a better race yesterday at Hereford and would carry a penalty here if successful. Monkhouse disappointed over fences at Southwell last month and is still a maiden over hurdles but should go well in a race like this. Phare Isle, third two years ago, stays well and won off a higher mark last year so should be a factor if a recent run at Huntingdon has blown away the cobwebs. But MOTHER MELDRUM may be worth another chance over this longer trip as she won twice here in March and showed herself to be better than a plater when fourth last time at Ffos Las.
Monkhouse (IRE) 13-2 (11-8) Towards rear, not always fluent, ridden and effort 13th, no impression, weakened 15th, pulled up after 4 out, at Southwell 3m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Mighty Leader (IRE) 7-1 (11-7) Held up in rear, took keen hold, lunged at 7th, outpaced and rider dropped rein briefly after 4 out, hit 2 out, headway before last, went 3rd flat, stayed on, 3rd of 9, 4 3/4l behind Baysbrown (11-0) at Perth 3m hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Phare Isle (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Took keen hold, chased leader until after 2nd, chased leaders, pushed along before 3 out, weakened before next, 5th of 7, 11 1/2l behind Bells Of Ailsworth (11-12) at Huntingdon 3m 1f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Mother Meldrum (IRE) 14-1 (11-11) Mid-division, under pressure before 4 out, went 4th 2 out, soon ridden, stayed on from last, not reach leaders, 4th of 12, 10l behind Truckers Glory (11-10) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Absolutely Bygones (IRE) 12-1 (12-0) (tt) stdy hdwy aft 13; str run 3 out; led last til hdd nr fin, 2nd of 10, nk behind Archie Rice (12-0) at Upcott Cross 3m gf in May.
Kid Kalanisi (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, headway on outside approaching 2 out, went modest 5th run-in, 5th of 11, 20 1/4l behind Wildmoor Boy (10-0) at Warwick 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Panis Angelicus (FR) 16-1 (11-7) Behind, struggling from 4 out, never a threat, 7th of 12, 16l behind Truckers Glory (11-10) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
