tracked leading pair, went 2nd on long run to 2 out, soon ridden, no impression, dropped to 3rd and one pace before the last
made virtualy all, clear before went left 2 out, shaken up between last two, kept on strongly
raced wide, pressed winner until ridden and lost 2nd on long run before 2 out, weakened quickly, tailed off and virtually pulled up after 2 out
in rear, brief effort approaching 6th, soon struggling, behind when blundered last
chased leaders, 3rd on long run before 2 out, went left and hit 2 out, soon ridden and lost 3rd, weakened before went left again last
chased leaders, ridden and weakened before 2 out
in touch, headway on inside before 2 out, ridden between last two, went 2nd before the last, one pace and no chance with winner
held up in touch, ridden and beaten before 2 out, modest 5th at the last
held up in last pair, struggling in rear 5th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
PRIVATE MALONE handled testing ground between the flags and will appreciate this step up in distance. The runner-up franked the form of his latest success at Leicester earlier this week and Emma Lavelle's charge can find the necessary improvement to complete the hat-trick. Muckle Roe found the company too hot at Haydock last time and has stronger claims here while Cash Injection wasn't winning out of turn at Taunton. Great Choice must go well if replicating his third over 2m at Cheltenham and Wizards Bridge and Lewis are others to consider in an interesting opener.
Great Choice (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Prominent, led before 3 out, driven approaching last, headed flat, stayed on, no impression on winner final 100 yards, 2nd of 19, 1l behind Chesterfield (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl (3) sft in Nov.
Private Malone (IRE) 2-5fav (11-5) Always prominent, jumped right 2nd, not fluent next, led after 7th, pushed along before 2 out, ridden approaching last, edged right flat, driven out, won at Leicester 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov beating Baku Bay (10-12) by 2 3/4l, 5 ran.
Steel City 28-1 (11-5) Towards rear, hit 7th and pushed along, behind next, went badly right 10th, pulled up before next, in a race won by Azure Fly (11-0) at Newbury 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec, 11 ran.
Geton Xmoor (IRE) 13-2 (11-1) Held up in rear, never on terms, tailed off, 6th of 8, well behind Bygones Sovereign (10-1) at Chepstow 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Wizards Bridge 6-1 (11-12) Mid-division, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 6th of 12, 36l behind Flintham (11-4) at Ascot 3m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs in Dec.
Muckle Roe (IRE) 7-1 (10-1) Midfield, headway 5 out, chased leaders next, weakened after 3 out, 5th of 10, 34l behind Kilcooley (11-5) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) hvy in Dec.
Lewis 6-5fav (10-7) Raced keenly tracked winner until ridden 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 5, 5l behind Subtle Grey (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 3f nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Cash Injection 11-4fav (11-10) Held up in 7th, headway before 3 out, chased leading pair soon after 3 out, challenged between horses 2 out, led last, kept on run-in, won at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Dec beating Tara Tavey (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 9 ran.
Eddy 50-1 (10-12) Held up in last pair, stumbled 8th, outpaced before 2 out, modest 4th run-in, 4th of 7, 12l behind Pressies Girl (10-12) at Wincanton 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in May.
