midfield, blundered 6th, not fluent 12th, pushed along before 3 out (usual 4 out), soon ridden, made no impression from 2 out
held up in mid-division, pushed along after 3 out (usual 4 out), keeping on when not fluent 2 out, soon ridden and tired when mistake last
prominent, led after 4th, slow next and headed briefly, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, no extra from last
midfield, took closer order 9th, pushed along approaching 2 out and lost place, held when not fluent last
raced keenly in midfield, headway going well approaching 2 out, ridden to challenge before last, ran on well until no extra final 50yds
held up in midfield, niggled along after 7th, not fluent next and given reminders, mistake 13th, ridden along 3 out (usual 4 out), beaten when mistake last
prominent, lost place 11th, slow next, pushed along before 2 out and switched wide, ridden and stayed on well to challenge last, ran on well flat
chased leaders, ridden along 3 out (usual 4 out), weakening when mistake last, pulled up flat
led, headed after 4th, remained prominent until weakened quickly and slow 12th, soon pulled up
held up towards rear, mistake 12th, struggling when pulled up after next
held up in rear, reminder after 2nd, tailed off approaching 9th, pulled up after next
held up in rear on outer, nudged along before 11th, struggling 12th, pulled up before 3 out (usual 4 out)
chased leaders, not fluent 12th, ridden to lead before 2 out, stayed on gamely flat
held up towards rear, ridden along and struggling before 3 out (usual 4 out), stayed on well to go fourth before 2 out, kept on one pace from last
LITHIC (NAP) is 0-21 over fences but has gone close on numerous occasions, including over an extended 3m6f last time at Exeter. He has won around here over hurdles and could finally reward connections’ patience today. Campaigned in France since a third at Uttoxeter in August, Eureu Du Boulay should enjoy himself around here. Dentley De Mee, another long-standing maiden, could be interesting off bottom weight and the in-form Cyclop won this in 2017 when only 3lb lower. Red Giant is also in good form but Lord Bryan is on a long losing run. Cool Destination beat Terrierman over 3m here last time but faces a stiff task for a novice under top weight. Who's In The Box is better over fences than hurdles but still needs more.
Cool Destination (IRE) 7-4fav (11-7) Always prominent, led 12th, headed 13th, edged right and led 3 out, idled, driven out, won at Market Rasen 3m hcp (4) gd in Nov beating Terrierman (11-3) by 1l, 8 ran.
Sumkindofking (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Prominent, not fluent 1st, restrained to midfield 3rd, hit 9th, ridden before 4 out, kept on one pace from 3 out, 5th of 9, 29 1/4l behind Roll Again (11-12) at Ludlow 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Red Giant (IRE) 13-8fav (11-7) Raced in 2nd until leading at 4th, disputed lead until going on again at 8th, headed briefly 13th before leading over next, pressed 2 out and headed soon after, stayed on but no match for winner, 2nd of 6, 7l behind Lough Derg Jewel (11-10) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Polydora (IRE) 40-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, ridden after 14th, weakened before 4 out, jumped left and blundered 3 out, 14th of 18, dist behind Jersey Bean (11-7) at Exeter 3m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Lithic (IRE) 8-1 (11-10) Held up in rear, headway on outside turning for home, ridden after 4 out, not fluent 3 out, stayed on under pressure before last, stayed on flat, 4th of 11, 1 1/4l behind Findusatgorcombe (10-0) at Exeter 3m 7f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Terrierman (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) Held up in rear, headway 8th, pushed along after 11th, went 2nd from 2 out, stayed on, no impression on winner, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Cool Destination (11-7) at Market Rasen 3m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Cyclop (IRE) 8-11fav (11-4) Made all, clear 2 out, easily, won at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) hvy in Nov beating Innerpickle (11-6) by 11l, 9 ran.
Eureu Du Boulay (FR) (11-0) 4th of 14, 4 3/4l behind Man Of Plenty (11-4) at Fontainebleau 2m 5f hcp hvy in Nov.
Lord Bryan (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) Led until before 4 out, 3rd and no extra last, 3rd of 7, 11 3/4l behind Versatility (11-9) at Ludlow 3m 2f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Optimistic Bias (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Made virtually all, clear last, stayed on well, won at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (4) sft in Nov beating Twojayslad (10-2) by 3 1/4l, 7 ran.
Lough Derg Farmer (IRE) 7-2 (10-7) Led, pushed along and headed before 4 out, ridden for effort and kept on well again after 2 out, rallied after last but not match for winner, 2nd of 4, 1 1/2l behind Kings Eclipse (10-0) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Nakadam (FR) 16-1 (10-0) Towards rear, some headway and staying on 3 out, not fluent 2 out and soon ridden, staying on and went a remote 3rd after the last, 3rd of 11, 16 1/2l behind Dino Boy (10-0) at Kelso 4m hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Who's In The Box (IRE) 9-2fav (11-3) Towards rear, headway and in touch with leaders 5 out, went second after 3 out, stayed on but no match for winner, 2nd of 12, 10l behind Rock On Barney (10-1) at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Dentley De Mee (FR) 4-1 (11-1) In rear, pushed along after 1st, jumped slow 7th, made headway before 11th, soon pushed along, plugged on one pace from 2 out, 4th of 9, 12l behind Neil The Legend (11-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
