held up mid-division, mistake 6 out, soon lost place, pulled up
with leaders, lost place before 8th, weakened from 5 out, pulled up
mid-division, weakened before 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, led 2 out, kept on well
towards rear, weakened before 5 out
mid-division, led before 5th, ridden before 2 out, headed 2 out, kept on same pace
tracked leaders in 4th, went 3rd before last, one pace
always behind
led, headed before 5th, lost place halfway, headway to chase leaders, 5 out, one pace in 4th from 2 out
towards rear, unseated 3rd
towards rear, unseated 7th
A trappy contest in which most have a chance but MARLEE MASSIE has turned into a really consistent hurdler for the Alexander team and remains acceptably treated after a 4lb rise for a game Ayr success the last day when beating Calivigny, who reopposes here. There should be little to choose between the pair once again but the winner impressed with his attitude on that occasion and gives the impression that he still has more to come off his current mark. Cooper's Friend is another enjoying a good 2016 and the 5lb claim of Stephen Mulqueen should provide a major boost to his chance if he is ready to roll after nearly four months off. Ascot De Bruyere definitely enters the equation and commands respect as a likely improver and he wasn't too far at all behind the selection last time at Ayr, whilst the solid Bright Prospect has each-way possibilities.
Cooper's Friend (IRE) 11-4fav (11-11) Chased leaders, not much room 1st, hit 4th, 2nd before 9th, challenged 3 out, led when not fluent next, driven flat, headed last stride, 2nd of 8, hd behind Definite Future (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Calivigny (IRE) 10-3 (11-8) Tracked leaders, every chance 3 out, ridden before last, kept on and well held by winner run-in, 2nd of 6, 1 1/4l behind Marlee Massie (10-12) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Bright Prospect (IRE) 11-4 (11-12) Tracked leaders, ridden 2 out, kept on and no impression from 2 out, 4th of 7, 15 1/4l behind Royal Macnab (11-7) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Dec.
Angus Milan (IRE) 100-1 (11-12) Towards rear, no impression from 4 out, some modest late progress but never a factor, 5th of 14, dist behind Our Duke (11-12) at Navan 2m 4f Yielding - Soft in Dec.
Marlee Massie (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) In touch, challenged 2 out, ridden to lead before last, kept on well, won at Ayr 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Calivigny (11-8) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Ascot De Bruyere (FR) 11-4fav (11-3) Tracked leader, ridden before 2 out, one pace, 4th of 6, 3 3/4l behind Marlee Massie (10-12) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Just Georgie 7-2fav (11-5) Led mainly throughout until ridden and headed before last, no extra, 3rd of 10, 29 1/4l behind Munsaab (11-7) at Hexham 2m 6f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Too Many Chiefs (IRE) 33-1 (11-1) Tracked leader, led before 7th, headed 5 out, weakened before 3 out, 6th of 11, 26 1/4l behind Hartforth (11-7) at Ayr 3m hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Castletown (FR) 25-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, 2nd from 3rd, led 8th, soon headed, lost place 11th, weakened after next, last of 6, 23 1/4l behind Seefood (11-12) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Oak Vintage (IRE) 25-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, weakened before 2 out, 10th of 11, dist behind Theatrebar (11-11) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Here's To Harry 22-1 (10-0) Mid-division, weakened before 4 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Hexham 2m 7f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
