prominent, upsides 4th, led 4 out, ridden before 2 out, joined last, headed flat, kept on
held up in rear, rapid headway between horses after 3 out, ridden and upsides last, led flat, ran on strongly close home
midfield, in rear but in touch 3rd, ridden after 3 out, one pace from 2 out
led, headed 3rd, ridden before 3 out, weakened quickly before 2 out, well beaten when pulled up before last
pressed leader, led 3rd, headed 4th, ridden after 3 out, weakened before last
held up, headway travelling strongly on outside after 3 out, ridden before last, kept on flat
My Drogo was still novicey at Newbury but came readily clear and there is more to come. Shantou Express has got his act together but has a bit to prove upped in class. Llandinabo Lad and Press Your Luck both arrive on a hat-trick but the former has to shoulder a penalty for winning a Listed race at Haydock and the latter has never encountered ground this soft. Nicky Henderson has won this five times and has no qualms about pitching No Ordinary Joe in at the deep end on his hurdling debut but he showed a degree of temperament when winning a Sandown bumper which hasn’t really worked out. SOARING GLORY only gave best close home when trying to concede 6lb to Dusart at Newbury and was cantering when coming to grief at Wetherby subsequently. If that fall hasn’t affected his confidence, he could gain ample consolation in this.
Llandinabo Lad 13-2 (11-0) Midfield, ridden and outpaced before 3 out, headway under pressure 2 out, switched right and ran on after last, led flat, ran on strongly, won at Haydock 2m lst (1) sft in Nov beating Do Your Job (11-0) by 4 1/4l, 6 ran.
My Drogo 10-3 (11-0) Chased leaders, mistake 2nd, made headway travelling well before 2 out, ridden to challenge flat, stayed on well to lead final 100yds, won at Newbury 2m mdn (3) gd in Nov beating Saggazza (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 9 ran.
No Ordinary Joe (IRE) 11-10fav (10-12) Mid-division and travelled keenly, smooth headway and cruised to the lead 1f out, extended clear final furlong, comfortable, won at Sandown 2m (4) sft in Nov beating Flemenstide (10-12) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.
Press Your Luck (IRE) 11-10fav (11-5) Chased clear leader, headway to lead 4 out, ridden after 2 out, kept on strongly close home, won at Uttoxeter 2m (4) gs in Nov beating Mocacreme Has (10-12) by 1 1/2l, 13 ran.
Shantou Express (IRE) 1-4fav (11-5) Chased leader, stumbled after 7th, led before 2 out where not fluent, kept on well, comfortably, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f (4) sft in Dec beating Finisk River (11-12) by 12l, 8 ran.
Soaring Glory (IRE) 1-8fav (11-4) Prominent, travelled stylishly to lead before 3 out, going best when fell 2 out, at Wetherby 2m (4) gs in Nov.
