tracked leaders, went 2nd before 6th, led before 2 out, joined last, driven and strongly pressed flat, stayed on to assert nearing finish
chased leaders, pushed along and outpaced before 3 out, rallied and left 3rd and slightly hampered 2 out, stayed on same pace and no chance with leading duo
led, pushed along and headed after 3 out, weakened approaching next, held when left modest 4th 2 out, dropped to 5th towards finish
mid-division, went left 2nd, bumped next, went left and lost place 4th, towards rear and struggling from next, tailed off
chased leader until approaching 6th, chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, one pace in 4th when unseated rider 2 out
held up well in rear, moderate late progress, never involved
held up, headway to chase leaders 4th, went 2nd approaching 2 out, challenged and every chance last, upsides flat, rider soon lost reins and dropped whip final 100 yards, held nearing finish
blundered 6th, always towards rear, tailed off
last pair, mistake 4th, reminder after next, lost touch after 6th, tailed off and blundered 2 out
held up in mid-division, went right 3rd, headway approaching 6th, outpaced after 3 out, rallied to moderate 4th towards finish
A tricky opener in which several look to have decent claims. Uhlan Bute will probably be sent off favourite as he's been keeping better company in the main this winter, though he continues to give the impression a longer trip wouldn't come amiss. The four-year-old RAVEN'S TOWER also has a penalty to carry and has been handicapping but he did win here in November and an earlier second to Ballyglasheen at Ludlow has worked out better than expected. He gets the nod as he's proven on the ground, which could be a real problem for last month's course and distance second Minority Interest. Freddy Q has scope but may need more time.
Uhlan Bute (FR) 15-8 (11-12) Tracked leaders, not fluent and went 2nd last (normal 3 out), one pace and no chance with winner final furlong, 2nd of 10, 6l behind Hint Of Mint (11-5) at Leicester 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy.
Daveron (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Took keen hold chasing leaders, went 2nd before 3 out until before 2 out, no impression when hit 2 out, hit last, no extra in 4th final 110 yards, 4th of 14, 12l behind Horizontal Speed (11-4) at Taunton 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Freddy Q (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Led, set moderate pace, ridden and headed before 2 out, soon outpaced, beaten when lost place last, 6th of 7, 16l behind Irving (11-5) at Ascot 2m hdl (3) gs in Nov.
Harlequins Gleams 33-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, weakened over 5f out, tailed off, 6th of 7, well behind Seven Nation Army (10-12) at Fontwell 1m 6f NH flat (6) sft in Apr.
Minority Interest 33-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, chased leaders last, stayed on strongly closing stages, every chance close home, just failed, 2nd of 14, shd behind Vikekhal (11-6) at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Spartilla 100-1 (10-13) Behind, never nearer, 7th of 14, 31l behind Vikekhal (11-6) at Plumpton 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Raven's Tower (USA) 14-1 (11-4) Led, clear 2nd, hit next, reduced lead 4 out, joined and mistake next, ridden and headed well before 2 out, no impression when lost 2nd before mistake next, mistake last, 3rd of 6, 21l behind Vicenzo Mio (11-8) at Kempton 2m 3yo hdl (3) sft in Dec.
On The Move 66-1 (10-4) Behind and pushed along, never dangerous, last of 13, well behind Another Hero (10-11) at Newton Abbot 2m 3f mdn hdl (5) gf in Jul.
Saint Helena (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) In rear and pulled hard, blundered 4 out, soon tailed off, in a race won by Dubawi Island (11-12) at Plumpton 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy, 9 ran.
Hermosa Vaquera (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, slow 2nd, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, weakened before last, 7th of 12, 35l behind Muhtaris (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 2f 3yo hdl (4) gs in Dec.
