led 4f, led again 7f ouyt, ridden 2f out, stayed on well
held up in mid-division, headway 5f out, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, stayed on, no impression
took keen hold, with leader, led 12f out until 7f out, one pace and lost 2nd over 1f out
held up in rear, took keen hold, stayed on from over 2f out, went 4th and edged left over 1f out, never nearer
held up towards rear, took keen hold early, headway 8f out, lost place over 3f out
tracked leaders, ridden over 6f out, weakened 4f out
tracked leaders, pushed along 5f out, weakened 2f out
held up in rear, took keen hold, behind final 6f
held up towards rear, headway on inside over 7f out, lost place over 3f out
mid-division on outside, closed 12f out, ridden and weakened 8f out
prominent, ridden 5f out, weakened over 4f out
Vesuvhill and So Sudden are both related to winning bumpers and could be newcomers to monitor in the betting in this. Otago Trail and Royalraise both won between the flags in the autumn and Battle Born started favourite on his reappearance at Haydock in November and wasn't beaten far. Newcastle third Surging Seas should have improved for the experience but a similar comment applies to SADDLERS ENCORE, who made his debut in what looked a hot bumper at Ascot in November. Bred for the job, Philip Hobbs' five-year-old can open his account here.
Battle Born 13-8fav (11-0) Chased leaders, effort over 2f out, stayed on strongly inside final furlong, never able to challenge, 3rd of 10, 6l behind Desoto County (11-0) at Haydock 2m NH flat (4) sft in Nov.
King's Odyssey (IRE) King's Theatre gelding out of Ma Furie.
Latelo Shirocco gelding out of Laurencia.
Otago Trail (IRE) 6-4 (12-2) Tr ldrs, mid div 4th rcing wide, 2nd 3out, b mstk, gng well 2l 2nd, jnd ldr aftr 2out, qcknd app last, impressive, won at Tattersalls Farm 3m ire ptp in Oct beating Urialon (12-2) by 8l, 10 ran.
Point Guard (IRE) Westerner gelding out of Holly'sreturn.
Royalraise (IRE) 3-1 (11-9) Alw cl up, tr ldrs 4out, prog to chall 2out, ld last, ko best, won at Rathcannon 3m ire ptp gf in Sep beating Lucky Cody (11-9) by 2l, 11 ran.
Saddlers Encore (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, pushed laong 7f out and again over 4f out, ridden and no extra in 5th over 2f out, 5th of 9, 9l behind Josses Hill (11-0) at Ascot 2m NH flat (5) gs in Nov.
Surging Seas (IRE) 13-2 (11-2) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, hung left and every chance over 1f out, kept on and no extra towards finish, 3rd of 14, 3l behind Chidswell (11-2) at Newcastle 2m mdn NH flat (6) gd in Nov.
Turoyal (FR) 12-1 (11-3) Led, jinked left on bend after 3f, headed 11f out, outpaced from 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 5th of 6, 18l behind Devenish Island (11-3) at Towcester 2m NH flat (6) sft in Mar.
Vesuvhill (FR) Sabrehill gelding out of L'orchidee.
Flobury Overbury mare out of Miss Flora.
Just Like Beth Proclamation mare out of Just Beth.
So Sudden Needwood Blade mare out of Sudden Spirit.