chased leaders, ridden and weakened from last
chased leaders, left in lead 4th, headed before 2 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, pushed along and lost place 4th, weakened before 8th, tailed off
led, carried out by loose horse 4th
held up mid-division, ridden and weakened before 2 out
held up mid-division, headway before 2 out, led and mistake 2 out, rider nearly unseated making the horse veer badly right soon after, rider lost irons, headed after last, one pace
held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders before 2 out, weakened last
held up towards rear, weakened after 3 out
held up mid-division, unseated rider 3rd
always behind
held up mid-division, ridden and headway before 2 out, every chance last, kept on one pace
chased leaders, led before 2 out, headed 2 out, faded run-in
held up mid-division, headway on outer before 2 out, led after last, kept on well
Stephen Hero has been raised 5lb since his second at Towcester while Calin Du Brizais is 8lb higher than when beating Vaillant Creek at Market Rasen. Pengo's Boy could be interesting on his handicap debut as he appears on an upward curve but it may be significant that Ben Pauling throws ITSNOWCATO (NAP) into a handicap after just two runs over timber. He couldn't cope with a penalty at Plumpton last time but the better going here will suit and he probably has more to offer. Brook was pulled up on his reappearance but it would be no surprise to see him bounce back here while Winning Spark is a past course and distance winner who shaped nicely at Wincanton three weeks ago.
Stephen Hero (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) In touch, headway before 2 out, son ridden, went 3rd before last, kept on to take 2nd towards finish, just held, 2nd of 9, nk behind Milord (11-4) at Towcester 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Brook (FR) 33-1 (11-12) Chased leaders to before 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up next, at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Alefou D'airy (FR) 14-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, not fluent 4th, ridden after 9th, losing touch 11th, not fluent next, tailed off, last of 4, dist behind Bang On Time (11-6) at Newton Abbot 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in May.
Itsnowcato 7-2 (11-5) Soon chasing leader, ridden and lost 2nd before 2 out, weakened between last 2, 4th of 11, 12l behind McKenzie's Friend (10-12) at Plumpton 2m (4) sft in Nov.
Pengo's Boy 14-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, no impression on leaders, stayed on same pace, 4th of 12, 10 1/4l behind Modus (10-12) at Taunton 2m 3f (3) gd in Nov.
Winning Spark (USA) 14-1 (10-7) Held up in last pair, headway into 3rd 2 out, one pace and no chance with leading duo, just held on for 3rd, 3rd of 9, 10l behind San Benedeto (11-8) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Popping Along 8-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, hampered after 3 out, mistake 2 out, stayed on, not able to get on terms, 6th of 11, 19l behind Lily Waugh (12-4) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Full Blast (FR) 12-1 (10-11) Led and raced keenly, headed and weakened rapidly after 3 out, tailed off and pulled up before next, at Sandown 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Red Riverman 50-1 (11-0) Keen in rear, took closer order after 3 out, soon no impression and weakened, 4th of 5, 28l behind The New One (11-8) at Kempton 2m lst (1) gd in Oct.
Milestone (IRE) 6-1 (10-4) Held up in touch, weakening when mistake 2 out, 6th of 7, dist behind Kilfinichen Bay (11-11) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
McCabe Creek (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, some headway into mid-division when mistake 2 out, never near leaders, 8th of 15, 19 1/2l behind Dazinski (11-4) at Warwick 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Calin Du Brizais (FR) 11-2 (10-13) Chased leaders, went 2nd before 2 out, led last, driven and stayed on well flat, won at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Nov beating Vaillant Creek (11-8) by 2 1/4l, 10 ran.
Doctor Look Here (IRE) 7-1fav (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway on outside 5th, not fluent next, led before 3 out, headed 2 out, no impression on winner before last, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 18, 4l behind Brave Deed (11-4) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
