mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, stayed on well to go 3rd approaching last, kept on flat
prominent, ridden after 7th, led briefly bend approaching 2 out, every chance 2 out and last, kept on well flat
chased leader, ridden and led approaching 2 out, headed 2 out, hampered and left in lead after, hard driven flat, held on gamely
towards rear, ridden approaching 7th, weakened next
held up towards rear, headway after 3 out and chased leaders, going well when led and fell 2 out
led until ridden and headed bend approaching 2 out, weakening when mistake and unseated rider last
chased leader, jumped slow and lost place 1st, soon struggling, behind from 7th, tailed off and pulled up after 3 out
held up, headway 3 out, ridden and chasing leaders when slightly hampered 2 out, kept on flat
mid-division, ridden after 3 out, one pace
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Hill Forts Timmy is selected in preference to Russian Trigger and Liberate. The last named was consistent on the Flat for Sir Mark Prescott and has continued to pay his way under the winter code of racing. He takes significant ease in grade this afternoon and, with almost half the field set to race from out of the handicap, he can be expected to make a bold bid today. However, he does have concede plenty weight to the rest and looks a shade vulnerable. Russian Trigger is an unexposed individual that could be anything at this stage of his career. However, his odds may be cramped for one so inexperienced and the better value lays elsewhere. With Hill Forts Timmy making the most appeal. The seven-year-old is as reliable as they come and, with the conditions not expected to pose him any problems, this appears to be a good opening for the Seamus Mullins-trained gelding to maintain his upward curve.
Hill Forts Timmy 14-1 (11-9) Held up, headway 2 out, ridden and outpaced approaching last, quickened to lead last, driven clear flat, won at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd beating Grasp (11-0) by 5l, 11 ran.
Tighten Your Belt (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, hit 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 7th of 18, 19l behind The Tother One (10-8) at Sandown 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) hvy.
Russian Trigger 9-4 (11-8) Chased leaders, led approaching 2 out, held on towards finish, won at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Nov beating The Very Man (11-0) by 3/4l, 9 ran.
Cantabilly (IRE) 20-1 (10-6) Held up, badly hampered 4th, ridden after 6th, stayed on from 3 out, never dangerous, 3rd of 8, 17l behind Gabier (10-4) at Exeter 2m 3f 4yo hcp hdl (2) sft.
Counting House (IRE) 14-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway from 2 out, stayed on under pressure flat, 6th of 19, 5l behind Mendo (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Nov.
Cold Mountain (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, ridden 2 out, weakened flat, 5th of 12, 11l behind From Dawn To Dusk (10-11) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Oct.
He's The Boss (IRE) 33-1 (11-9) Hampered 1st, left well in rear, tailed off when refused 5 out in race won by Never So Blue (11-0) at Wincanton 2m 5f cnd hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft, 7 ran.
Earth Man (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 9th, stayed on one pace from 2 out, 5th of 15, 16l behind Not Left Yet (11-12) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd.
Pimbury (IRE) 11-1 (10-11) Prominent, outpaced 5th, stayed on again from 2 out, 4th of 16, 17l behind Gauvain (11-8) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs.
Laudamus 5-1 (11-7) In touch, weakened 3 out pulled up 2 out in race won by Lord Nellsson (11-4) at Wincanton 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-105 (E) gd in Nov '05, 13 ran.
Liberate 10-3 (10-12) Prominent, led 2nd, not fluent, headed 6th, lead again 8th, blundered, headed 2 out, weakened approaching last, 5th of 8, 15l behind Pouvoir (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hdl Grd 2 (1) gd.
Quasimodo (GB) 25-1 (9-11) Chased leader, ridden 7th, weakened 2 out, 6th of 11, 26l behind Hill Forts Timmy (11-9) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
