mid-division, headway chasing leaders approaching 3 out, weakened on long run before next, tailed off
held up in last pair, plugging on and well held when left 4th at the last
off the pace in 4th, weakened approaching 3 out
tracked leader 2nd, challenging when left in clear lead last
mid-division, headway approaching 7th, pushed along and one pace in 3rd from before 3 out, left modest 2nd last
towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, weakened approaching next, 7th when pulled up before 2 out
pressed leader, led 2nd, hit 3 out, strongly pressed next, narrow lead but tiring when fell last
towards rear, closer 4th, ridden and weakened before 4 out, tailed off and pulled up after 3 out
led until 2nd, chased leading pair, jumped slowly next, pushed along before 4 out, ridden and lost 3rd before 3 out, weakened after 3 out
held up in rear, plugged on from after 3 out, 4th and beaten when left 3rd at the last
towards rear, behind and ridden after 5th, tailed off when hit 7th, pulled up soon after
towards rear, hit 6th and ridden, never a factor
NonRunner
Fawsley Spirit is 0-12 under Rules but found only an in-form rival too good at Doncaster last month on his first run for Ben Pauling and Luca Morgan’s claim will be in his favour here. On the going, however, we prefer HUGOS OTHER HORSE who has been knocking on the door – Cue Card’s half-brother can finally open his account today. Morning Spirit also warrants a mention as he probably found the going too quick when favourite at Kempton last month. Recent course and diatance winner Tide Times and the unexposed Huntsmans Jog both have claimers on board to ease the burden of top weight and Soyouthinksoagain and Echo Du Large are others for the shortlist in a competitive opener.
Tide Times (IRE) 3-1fav (11-12) Prominent, ridden to join leaders 2 out, led narrowly before last, briefly headed after last, ran on well to regain lead shortly before line, won at Ascot 3m hcp (4) sft in Nov beating Enqarde (11-12) by nk, 10 ran.
Huntsmans Jog (IRE) 9-4jfav (11-13) Towards rear, well in touch when ridden before 3 out, almost upsides 2 out, led narrowly last, stayed on strongly flat, won at Exeter 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Crossley Tender (11-6) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Poppa Poutine (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Virtually made all, challenged for lead 2 out, kept on and jumped well last, driven and ran on flat, gamely, won at Southwell 3m hcp (4) gs in Dec beating Heavey (11-2) by 1 3/4l, 12 ran.
Morning Spirit (IRE) 5-2fav (11-7) Held up towards rear, good headway chasing leaders before 5th, ridden into modest 3rd between last 2, 3rd of 11, 4 1/4l behind Supakalanistic (11-9) at Kempton 3m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Blame The Game (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Led and disputed, outright leader after 8th, pushed along and joined 2 out, strongly pressed last, stayed on gamely to assert run-in, won at Plumpton 2m 5f (4) sft in Nov beating Linelee King (11-5) by nk, 7 ran.
Echo Du Large (FR) 20-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway into midfield 3rd, chased leaders 3 out, close up when ridden before last, kept on flat, 2nd of 12, 1l behind Mustang Alpha (11-10) at Hereford 2m 6f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Fawsley Spirit (IRE) 11-1 (11-9) Tracked leader, led just after halfway, pushed along and headed approaching last, kept on at one pace flat without matching impressive winner, 2nd of 16, 1 3/4l behind Catchmeifyoucan (11-6) at Doncaster 3m hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Silver Nickel (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) In leading pair, ridden 2 out, headed last, kept on without threating leaders, 3rd of 10, 2 1/4l behind Tide Times (11-12) at Ascot 3m hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Reallyradical (IRE) 11-1 (11-8) Raced handy, pushed along after 8th, led before 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, ran on well flat but no match for winner, 2nd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Midnight Glance (11-1) at Plumpton 2m 5f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Soyouthinksoagain (IRE) 8-15fav (11-3) Held up towards rear, headway on outside from 5th, not fluent 3 out, led after 2 out, clear before last, comfortably, won at Stratford 2m 3f hcp (5) gs in Oct beating Scrutinise (11-5) by 5 1/2l, 13 ran.
Freddy Fanatapan 7-2 (11-10) Led at steady pace after 1st, headed before 8th, led narrowly 3 out, established lead 2 out, drew clear under pressure last, stayed on, won at Exeter 2m 6f hcp (5) sft in Nov beating Light Flicker (11-2) by 13l, 12 ran.
Hatchet Jack (IRE) 22-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 7th, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 16, 28 1/4l behind Butler's Brief (11-8) at Warwick 2m 5f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Hugos Other Horse 9-2 (11-12) Waited with in mid-division, headway chasing leaders 6th, led soon after 2 out, headed between last 2, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner, 2nd of 13, 8 1/2l behind Striking A Pose (12-0) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
