held up 4th and last, blundered 4th, struggling 13th, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
disputed lead virtually throughout, ridden and slightly outpaced approaching 4 out, 1 length down last, stayed on to lead flat, all out
early reminders, made most, went on briefly approaching 4 out, headed soon after, ridden and one pace before next, no chance with leading pair from 2 out
tracked leading pair, effort to lead after 4 out, ridden between last 2, 1 length clear when not fluent last, headed flat, no extra
It's hard to take many positives from Railway Dillon's first two runs over fences but Donald McCain is certain to have been working on his deficiencies. However, we still prefer UPTHEMSTEPS, whose hurdles form was just about the equal of Railway Dillon. He'll have needed his Wetherby run behind Fists Of Fury, though still finished seven lengths ahead of the one-paced Negus De Beaumont. Milans Man had four runs over fences in 2011 but was tailed off on three occasions and pulled up on the other - he's hard to fancy here.
Milans Man (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Led to 2nd, soon lost place, mistake 8th, pulled up before 10th, in a race won by Seize (11-1) at Doncaster 3m hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Dec, 8 ran.
Negus de Beaumont (FR) 11-1 (11-0) Tracked leading pair, close up after 9th, outpaced 4 out, soon ridden, no impression in clear 3rd from next, 3rd of 4, 22l behind Blenheim Brook (11-0) at Newcastle 3m beg chs (4) gs in Dec.
Railway Dillon (IRE) 15-2 (11-0) Pushed along and reminders to chase leader, not fluent 5th, hit 7th, weakened from 6 out, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out, in a race won by Moon Indigo (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov chs (3) gs in Dec, 5 ran.
Upthemsteps (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders in 3rd on outer, not fluent 11th, weakening when hit 3 out, 4th of 7, 43l behind Fists Of Fury (11-2) at Wetherby 3m 1f beg chs (5) gs in Nov.
