tracked leader, led 4th, headed before last, no extra run-in
held up towards rear, headway from 4 out, went 2nd after next, led before last, kept on well towards finish
held up in touch, headway 4 out, ridden after 3 out, weakened before 2 out
held up towards rear, reminders after 5th and in rear, headway before 3 out, one pace in 3rd before 2 out
tracked leaders, reminders 4 out, soon weakened and in rear when hampered 3 out, never dangerous
behind, fell 3 out
led to 4th, chased leaders, weakened after 3 out
tracked leaders in 3rd, went 2nd from 4th, weakened after 3 out
Brian Ellison had the second in this last year and is doubly represented this time. We like the look of KNIGHTLY ESCAPADE at the weights as he's certain to be suited by the step up in trip and arrives in good form having beaten a subsequent winner in a jumpers' bumper at Kempton before being placed in an all-weather handicap at Wolverhampton. Cloudy Joker has won three times over fences this season but is still a maiden over hurdles and could find a couple of these too quick. Oscar Tanner ran well behind Calculated Risk here on Boxing Day, however, and may be improving while Hit The Top and Getabuzz could figure with a clear round but are giving plenty of weight to the selection and this may be too competitive for the four-year-olds Magic Skyline and Marlborough House. Maybe I Wont and Riskier lack the scope of their rivals.
Hit The Top (IRE) 13-8fav (10-12) Held up in rear, headway to chased leaders when fell 4 out, in a race won by Mitchell's Way (11-5) at Carlisle 2m nov chs (3) gs, 6 ran.
Getabuzz 3-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, headway 5th, weakening in 4th when fell 3 out, in a race won by The Ramblin Kid (10-12) at Newcastle 2m 6f nov hdl (3) hvy in Feb, 8 ran.
Cloudy Joker (IRE) 3-1 (11-6) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd at 8th, 3 lengths down and outpaced when mistake 4 out, no impression in clear 2nd from next, 2nd of 5, 9l behind Benbens (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 4f (3) sft in Feb.
Oscar Tanner (IRE) 7-2 (10-3) Tracked leader, driven to lead approaching 2 out, hard pressed between last 2, headed flat, kept on, held near finish, 2nd of 7, 3/4l behind Calculated Risk (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 4f (3) sft in Dec.
Maybe I Wont 80-1 (11-5) Behind, mistake 4th, struggling after 5th, never dangerous, 9th of 10, 50l behind Clever Cookie (11-8) at Kelso 2m 2f nh nov hdl (1) gs.
Knightly Escapade 9-1 (11-2) Held up in mid-division on inside, headway over 2f out, chased leaders over 1f out, went 2nd 1f out, ridden to lead inside final furlong, stayed on under pressure, won at Kempton 2m 2f n h flat (4) std in Feb beating Watt Broderick (10-11) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Riskier 11-4 (11-2) Tracked leader, not fluent 3rd, led after 5th, ridden and headed before last, finished tired, 2nd of 4, 21l behind Volcanic (11-2) at Carlisle 2m 3f nov hdl (4) hvy.
Marlborough House 11-1 (10-7) Chased winner until 8th, ridden after next, 4th and no impression 3 out, 4th of 5, 17l behind Katachenko (11-3) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) sft in Feb.
Magic Skyline (IRE) 11-4 (10-12) Took keen hold, led, not fluent 3 out, headed next, stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 4, 2 3/4l behind Morning With Ivan (10-7) at Musselburgh 2m mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
