tracked leaders, challenged from 5 out, every chance 3 out, quickly weakened before 2 out, soon pulled up
mid-division, lost place from 5th, pulled up before 10th
towards rear, headway before 4 out, led before 2 out, soon ridden, held on towards finish
prominent, weakened before 4 out
prominent, lost place after 3rd, soon in rear, pulled up before 2 out
led, ridden and headed before 2 out, kept on and held towards finish
always towards rear, pulled up before last
mid-division, soon tracked leaders, ridden before 4 ou t, soon weakened
Nonrunner
MINELLA WEB has displayed more than enough ability in his two starts since joining Colin Tizzard to suggest that he's more than capable of landing an ordinary handicap such as this. It may be that he will be given a less aggressive ride on this occasion as he perhaps has not sen out either race that effectively, whilst the first-time application of a tongue tie and cheekpieces may also help him to settle better. Spiritofchartwell has gone well on both starts here this season and looks a useful sort for Phil York at this level. He rates the main danger, especially as he seems to enjoy this venue. Goring One is into the veteran stage nowadays but Anna Newton-Smith's gelding remains capable of taking a hand at the business end. Wish In A Well also has place claims off the bottom rung.
Minella Web (IRE) 5-2fav (11-10) In touch, headway to chase leaders approaching 5th, struggling after 3 out, left in 3rd at last, 3rd of 9, 7 1/2l behind Red Square Revival (11-9) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Indy Island (IRE) 5-1 (12-2) Always towards rear, struggling before 9th, tailed off, pulled up, at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Oct.
Spiritofchartwell 11-2 (11-2) In touch, outpaced 4 out, rallied to chase leaders next, stayed on well after last, never reached winner, 2nd of 6, 6l behind Stoical Patient (11-3) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Goring One (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Chased leaders in 4th place, weakened before 3 out, tailed off, 5th of 7, 24l behind Tara Mac (11-3) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp (5) gs in Oct.
Hardtorock (IRE) 6-1 (10-1) Held up, under pressure 9th, weakened 5 out, pulled up before next, at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Lord Aldervale (IRE) 20-1 (10-2) Led until after 2nd, jumped right throughout, weakened 4 out, 5th of 9, 11 1/2l behind Red Square Revival (11-9) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Grayhawk (IRE) 5-1 (10-7) Chased winner, mistake 9th, lost 2nd 3 out, chased leading pair, weakened into 4th run-in, 4th of 5, 12 1/4l behind Spock (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 1f hcp (5) gd in May.
Wish In A Well (IRE) 7-1 (10-0) Towards rear, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 6th of 7, 31l behind Tara Mac (11-3) at Stratford 2m 7f hcp (5) gs in Oct.
Arquebusier (FR) 16-1 (11-6) Held up in 5th, pushed along before 4 out, soon struggling, 6th of 10, 26 3/4l behind Mr Medic (11-12) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Oct.
