led until before 7th, pressed leader, in front again before 11th, pushed along when mistake and headed 2 out, weakened into 4th at the last
raced keenly on inside, tracked leader until 5th, chased leaders, jumped slowly 9th, weakened 11th, tailed off 3 out
held up in last trio, pushed along in rear after 10th, some headway when hit 3 out, soon weakened
raced keenly, chased leaders, not fluent 7th, weakened 3 out, stumbled next
always behind, tailed off and pulled up last
chased leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, led 2 out, narrowly headed last, hard ridden and stayed on run-in, always held
chased leaders, went 2nd 5th, led before 7th until before 11th, chased leader until after 3 out, weakened before next
held up towards rear, headway chasing leaders blundered 4 out, pushed along after next, hung right and kept on into 3rd at the last
raced wide, chased leaders, went 2nd 2 out, led narrowly last, driven out
last trio, plugged on in 5th before mistake 2 out, never on terms
This is a tough race in which to make a comeback but Yalltari has plenty in his favour, not least the fact that he goes well fresh and has his conditions. He has also been very lightly raced but does have a bit to find with MISTER MALARKEY on their run together over course and distance at the start of the year. After a couple of runs, Colin Tizzard’s charge should now be approaching peak fitness so gets the nod. There are plenty of dangers, however, with Paul Nicholls saddling the classy Black Corton and also Badger Beers Silver Trophy winner Give Me A Copper. A rejuvenated Crievehill arrives on a hat-trick while Kildisart did nothing but improve last season and has had a pipe-opener. Acting Lass got back to winning ways at Chepstow and Regal Encore can never be ruled out around here.
Black Corton (FR) 5-1 (11-6) Prominent until 2nd, chased leaders, left 2nd at the 4th but leader (winner) clear, even further behind from 12th, plugged on, 2nd of 4, 33l behind Native River (11-0) at Aintree 3m 1f (1) gs in Dec.
Crievehill (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) With leader, led 5 out, clear 3 out, pushed out, comfortably, won at Haydock 3m 2f hcp (2) gs in Nov beating Sharp Response (11-5) by 10l, 10 ran.
Kildisart (IRE) 4-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders in 3rd, kept on same pace from 3 out, 3rd of 4, 11 1/4l behind Lostintranslation (11-8) at Carlisle 2m 4f lst (1) sft in Nov.
Give Me A Copper (IRE) 5-1cfav (11-1) Chased leader and bumped 1st, raced wide in handy 3rd, hit 16th, pushed along before 3 out, led next, stayed on well, driven out to hold on all out, won at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp lst (1) gs in Nov beating Soupy Soups (10-7) by nk, 13 ran.
Mister Malarky 14-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, hit 5 out, pushed along before 4 out, weakened 2 out, 6th of 24, 11 1/4l behind De Rasher Counter (11-1) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (1) gs in Nov.
Acting Lass (IRE) 3-1 (11-7) Held up in touch, chased leader 8th to 11th, led 5 out, blundered and headed 3 out, led 2 out, edged left flat, driven out, won at Chepstow 3m hcp (2) sft in Dec beating Another Venture (10-11) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Yalltari 11-2 (11-0) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd approaching 14th, led 3 out until 2 out, chased winner, 3 lengths down and well held when blundered last, weakened into 3rd run-in, 3rd of 5, 4 3/4l behind Mister Malarky (11-0) at Ascot 3m (1) gs in Feb.
Jerrysback (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Held up and always towards rear, never on terms, tailed off, 12th of 16, dist behind Bennys King (11-1) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Regal Encore (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) In touch, closer tracking leaders when blundered 5 out, weakened, behind and pulled up before next, at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (1) gs in Nov.
Azzerti (FR) 7-1 (10-10) Always towards rear, never on terms, 6th of 12, 22 1/4l behind Oldgrangewood (10-6) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
