led, headed after 3rd, hit 7th, ridden and every chance 3 out, weakened before next
tracked leaders in 3rd, led 2 out, headed before last, kept on and lost 2nd place close home
tracked leader, led after 3rd, pushed along before 3 out, headed 2 out, soon weakened
in rear, headway after 7th, went 3rd from last, soon ridden, kept on to take 2nd place close home, no chance with winner
held up towards rear, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened
held up in touch, headway before 3 out, ridden before last, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, challenged 2 out, quickened to lead before last, kept on well
No Planning has been superbly placed to win eleven times though mainly over fences recently. Sue Smith has booked Nathan Moscrop for his claim and also runs Smooth Stepper, who is also better known as a staying chaser these days. Nautical Nitwit wins his share and has been in reasonable form at this sort of level but it's JUST MILLY (NAP) who looks the one to be on. John Mackie's mare reappeared after a break with a fine run at Uttoxter where she finished with a flourish over that 2m4f after getting outpaced. Gran Maestro hasn't won since landing a Listed contest at Market Rasen in 2015.
No Planning 17-2 (10-9) Led until 3 out, stayed challenging, led again last, headed towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Minellacelebration (10-11) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (2) gd in May.
Nautical Nitwit (IRE) 14-1 (12-0) Mid-division, headway after 4 out, ridden before 2 out, 3rd when not fluent last, stayed on, 3rd of 13, 5 1/4l behind Holly Bush Henry (11-4) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Smooth Stepper 33-1 (10-12) Towards rear, reminders after 11th, soon detached, pulled up before 3 out, tailed off, at Aintree 3m 1f hcp lst (1) gd in Apr.
Just Milly (IRE) 11-2 (10-10) In rear, not fluent 6th, lost touch before 3 out, rallied last, finished well, went 2nd towards finish, not reach winner, 2nd of 4, 3/4l behind Cool Sky (10-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Minstrel Royal 9-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, 2nd 3 out, ridden after next, hung right before last, soon lost 2nd, one pace, 3rd of 6, 11l behind Astrum (10-1) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Gran Maestro (USA) 11-1 (9-6) Chased leaders, weakened quickly over 4f out, last of 10, dist behind Madam Lilibet (8-9) at Pontefract 2m 2f hcp (5) sft in Oct.
Lough Salt (IRE) 9-1 (9-12) Slowly away, held up towards rear, headway from over 3f out, went 3rd inside final furlong, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 8, 9 1/2l behind Mixboy (9-12) at Ripon 1m 4f mdn stks (5) sft in Sep.
