led, not fluent 4th or 5th, headed before 3 out, stopped quickly and pulled up before 2 out
prominent, slow 1st, led before 3 out, not fluent and headed 2 out, no extra flat
mid-division, headway before 8th, went 2nd last, hung left flat, no impression on winner, kept on
not fluent, behind, mistake 6th, tailed off 8th
towards rear, ridden 7th, mid-division when mistake 8th, well beaten after
towards rear, headway before 6th, ridden and weakened before 2 out
chased leaders, not fluent 7th, 4th and beaten 2 out, weakened after
chased leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, led next, stayed on well flat
mid-division, mistake 2nd, fell 8th
towards rear, mistake 5th, not fluent next, behind from 7th, tailed off
mid-division, weakened before 8th, tailed off
prominent, ridden and weakened before 7th, tailed off next, soon pulled up
Firak was a long way behind Welsh Saint in a course and distance maiden on heavy going but had won a point on good ground earlier. Demachine showed the benefit of his opening run with a much better effort behind ONE TOUCH at Doncaster and a 9lb pull should enable him to get closer. However, the winner had plenty in hand and should confirm the form. Trincomalee won a bumper here in May and has been very consistent over hurdles though has never raced beyond the minimum. Kingsplace won a bumper here and has done well over hurdles without winning. He's probably best on ground with plenty of give so some rain would aid his cause. Upton went for £100,000 at the sales after landing a point at Boulta in November so is one to keep an eye on.
One Touch (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Jumped well, made all, clear 2 out, stayed on strongly, unchallenged, won at Doncaster 2m 3f (4) gs in Dec beating Corrany (10-12) by 8l, 11 ran.
Demachine (IRE) 22-1 (10-12) Mid-division on inside, headway chasing leaders before 3 out, went 3rd between last, kept on run-in, no chance with winner, 3rd of 11, 8 3/4l behind One Touch (10-12) at Doncaster 2m 3f (4) gs in Dec.
Firak (FR) 7-2 (11-0) Prominent, not fluent 7th, 3rd and beaten 2 out, plugged on, 3rd of 15, 20l behind Welsh Saint (11-0) at Warwick 2m 5f mdn (4) sft in Dec.
Flemings (IRE) Flemensfirth gelding out of How Is Things.
Hawk's Well (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Always behind, never on terms, 6th of 11, 24 3/4l behind Sevarano (11-3) at Newbury 2m 5f (3) gs in Nov.
Jaytee 50-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, plugged on one pace in 3rd before the last, 3rd of 10, 10 1/4l behind Craigneiche (11-6) at Doncaster 2m 5f mdn (5) sft in Jan.
Kingsplace (IRE) 6-4fav (11-4) Not always fluent, made most until 3rd, led next, headed 6th, soon led again, headed 2 out, no impression on winner after, kept on final 100 yards as winner eased down, 2nd of 5, 1 1/2l behind Port Of Mars (11-4) at Chepstow 3m mdn (4) hvy in Jan.
Trincomalee 8-11fav (10-12) 2nd of 10, 6l behind Faire Part Sivola (10-12) at Leicester 2m (3) hvy in Dec.
Upton Road (IRE) 4-1 (12-2) Ld & jw, jnd 4th, cl 2nd aftr 6out, ld bef 3out, 1/2l adv when lft with 2l adv last, so best, won at Boulta 3m mdn Yielding - Soft in Nov beating Brandy Harbour (12-2) by 1 1/2l, 10 ran.
Boomtime Banker (IRE) 2-1 (11-11) Chsd ldrs, 3rd 1/2way, clsr 4out, gd prog frm 2out, cl 3rd with ev ch aftr 2out, prog to ld when mstk last, kow, won at Toomebridge 3m mdn hvy in Oct beating Double Smart (11-11) by 3l, 8 ran.
Frilly Frock (IRE) 100-1 (10-10) Held up, mid-division 5th, weakened 4 out, pulled up before 3 out, at Ludlow 2m 5f (4) sft in Dec.
Mags Melody (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Prominent, lost place after 3 out, soon behind, 11th of 12, dist behind Molly Ollys Wishes (11-0) at Warwick 2m 5f (4) sft in Jan.
