with leader, pushed along after 4 out, weakened before 3 out
close up, blundered badly 3rd, rider briefly lost an iron, soon lost place, fell 2 out
towards rear and fell 1st
mid-division, headway from 3 out, chased winner briefly last, kept on
mid-division, headway before 4 out, led before 3 out, held on towards finish, driven out
mid-division, weakened before 3 out
in rear, headway 4 out, went 3rd from 3 out, kept on same pace
mid-division, ridden and weakened before 3 out
chased leaders, led before 3rd, ridden and headed before 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
led, headed before 3rd, weakened before 3 out
always towards rear, weakened after 4 out
mid-division, blundered 5 out, headway before 4 out, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened
in touch on outer, every chance 3 out, ridden before last, kept on towards finish
NonRunner
Lough Kent had Deepsand behind when landing a modest handicap at Newcastle two weeks ago but this looks much tougher off a 6lb higher mark. Get Rhythm makes his handicap debut and ran a nice race at Warwick when last seen. He has more scope than the disappointing Hastrubal and Heath Hunter. Wetherby third Hartside has place claims again and Free Stone Hill is another to consider but CENTURIUS (NAP) is a potential blot on the handicap having been dropped 3lb since an unlucky run at Hereford. He won on soft going at Huntingdon last March so conditions won’t be a problem.
Heath Hunter (IRE) 11-2 (11-9) Held up, pushed along on downhill run before 2 out, soon beaten, 9th of 10, 18 1/2l behind Darebin (11-4) at Lingfield 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Hastrubal (FR) 8-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, 2nd after 3 out lost 2nd and still chance 2 out, ridden and one pace before the last, left 4th at the last and hampered, weakened into 5th run-in, 5th of 12, 13l behind Kalondra (11-12) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Get Rhythm (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Chased leader, baulked slightly 1st, led 3rd, clear next until slow 3 out, went left and mistake 2 out, edged left and mistake last, soon headed, stayed on same pace final 75 yards, 3rd of 13, 1 3/4l behind Midnight Maestro (10-12) at Warwick 2m (4) gs in Nov.
Raise A Spark 4-1 (11-10) In touch, headway before 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 8th of 11, dist behind Marcus Antonius (10-12) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Deepsand (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Held up mid-division, headway before 5 out, ridden before 3 out, one pace from 2 out, 4th of 9, 12 3/4l behind Lough Kent (11-2) at Newcastle 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Lough Kent 7-1 (11-2) Prominent, went 3rd before 3 out, led before 2 out, kept on well, won at Newcastle 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan beating Island Confusion (11-8) by 5l, 9 ran.
Chieftain's Choice (IRE) 20-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, headway bypassing omitted last, went never dangerous 5th inside final furlong, 5th of 14, 9l behind Rocklander (11-12) at Leicester 2m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Hartside (GER) 10-1 (11-10) Mid-division, headway 3 out, went 3rd flat, kept on, unable to challenge, 3rd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Lift The Lid (11-8) at Wetherby 2m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Free Stone Hill (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) In rear, headway to take 2nd from 3 out, kept on same pace in 3rd before last, 3rd of 6, 17l behind Prime Venture (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f (4) gs in Nov.
Jaunty Thor 10-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway before 7th, 5th and one pace 2 out, soon weakened, 5th of 14, 19 1/2l behind Florrie Boy (12-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Dragon Khan (IRE) 33-1 (11-1) Always behind, 11th of 15, dist behind Matchaway (11-13) at Hereford 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Rafafie 9-1 (10-12) Mid-division, closed 4th, ridden after 2 out, weakened before last, 7th of 15, 17l behind Matchaway (11-13) at Hereford 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Vocaliser (IRE) 9-4fav (10-11) Disputed lead until led after 5th, headed after 4 out, soon weakened, last of 7, dist behind Goal (10-9) at Ludlow 2m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Centurius 6-1 (10-6) Mid-division on inside, hampered 4th, headway next, every chance when not fluent 2 out, beaten before last, no extra flat, 6th of 9, 4 1/4l behind Stamp Your Feet (10-5) at Hereford 2m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
