led, not fluent 4th, mistake 6th, headed before 2 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, modest 6th after 3 out, stayed on approaching 2 out, went 3rd last, no chance with front pair
mid-division, headway 6th, went 2nd after 3 out, led before next, not fluent last, clear flat, easily
always behind, tailed off 6th, pulled up after 3 out
mid-division, weakened before 6th, tailed off
chased leader until after 3 out, weakened before next
towards rear on outside, not fluent 3rd, behind 6th, tailed off
mid-division, took keen hold, not fluent 2nd, headway 6th, switched left and went 2nd before 2 out, no impression on winner and stayed on same pace flat
tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, not fluent 4th, pushed along after 3 out, ridden and weakened before next
towards rear, not fluent 4th, modest 7th after 3 out, no impression, soon weakened, tailed off
Fact Of The Matter started favourite at Worcester last month and had every chance when unseating his rider at the second last. Kara Tara and Isla Di Milano could be interesting once they've had some experience while Western Miller has already won over hurdles, at Carlisle. The latter should make a bold bid to defy his penalty but BARNEY DWAN's third to Yanworth at Exeter may turn out to be decent form so he gets the vote. Oldgrangewood easily won a point-to-point at Lingwood in March but already looks a stayer in the making.
Western Miller (IRE) 4-5fav (10-12) In touch, good headway to lead 6th, mistake next, mistake 3 out, clear when edged left run-in, driven out, won at Carlisle 2m 4f (4) gd in Oct beating Tickenwolf (11-5) by 6l, 10 ran.
Amiral Collonges (FR) (10-12) 10th of 15, dist behind Anda Singer (10-10) at Pau 2m 3f sft in Dec.
Barney Dwan (IRE) 16-1 (10-12) In touch after 1st, 8th after 2nd, closing and not fluent when in view 3 out, no impression on leading pair, stayed on, 3rd of 11, 5 3/4l behind Yanworth (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f (3) sft in Nov.
Bold Prince Rupert (IRE) 150-1 (11-4) Led until 4f out, soon beaten and hanging left, tailed off, 11th of 13, dist behind Shantou Village (11-4) at Wetherby 2m (6) gd in Mar.
Down The Line (IRE) 7-1 (10-12) Held up mid-division, ridden and weakened before 3 out, 6th of 10, dist behind At The Doubble (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f (4) gd in Nov.
Fact Of The Matter (IRE) 7-4fav (10-12) Tracked leader, every chance when stumbled 3 out, rider clung on until unseated before next, at Worcester 2m 4f (4) gd in Oct.
Isla Di Milano (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway to chase leaders over 6f out, weakened over 2f out, 6th of 10, 16l behind Soupy Soups (11-0) at Ffos Las 2m mdn (6) gd in Oct.
Oldgrangewood 3-1 (11-9) Ww in rr, still rr but in tch 5out, closed 3out, ld aftr 2out, qcknd clr, won at Lingstown 3m mdn gd in Mar beating Sutton Manor (11-9) by 4l, 10 ran.
Speredek (FR) 9-1 (10-12) Prominent, mistake 5th, weakening when blundered 3 out, left 4th last, 4th of 14, dist behind Onefitzall (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f (4) gs in Oct.
Kara Tara 12-1 (11-2) Held up mid-division, ridden and one pace from 2f out, 6th of 10, 7 1/4l behind Captain Bocelli (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (6) gd in May.
