mid-division, headway before 3 out, chased winner before 2 out, kept on and no impression
mid-division, ridden in 3rd before last, kept on same pace
tracked leaders, led before 4th, headed after 4 out, weakened before last
tracked leaders, took keen hold, led after 4 out, soon clear, easily
led, headed before 4th, ridden before last, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened before 2 out, soon pulled up
held up towards rear, headway 2 out, kept on same pace
in rear, outpaced after 4 out
in rear, headway 5th, one pace from next
BIALCO was bought as a chaser having scored over the bigger obstacles in France. He was having only his second start for Lucinda Russell when a close fourth in a Class 2 handicap at Haydock and takes a big drop in grade here. His main rival appears to be Nando, who was making his hurdling debut and having his first start since the summer when just failing to make all over the course and distance last month. Take The High Road produced a much better effort at Wetherby last month and has the scope to do better while Keyboard Gangster should improve for last month's hurdling debut on this track, his first run since April.
Bialco (FR) 66-1 (10-8) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, led 2 out, headed after last, kept on same pace, 5th of 11, 4l behind Tommy Rapper (11-1) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (2) hvy in Feb.
Eagle Ridge (IRE) 80-1 (11-2) Mid-division, pushed along before 2 out, soon weakened, 7th of 10, 35 3/4l behind Taxmeifyoucan (10-13) at Kelso 2m (4) hvy in Feb.
Kennedys Field 100-1 (11-2) Led until after 5th, mistake and no impression on winner from 2 out, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 5, 13l behind Absolutely Dylan (11-2) at Newcastle 2m (4) sft in Feb.
Keyboard Gangster (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) In rear and keen, weakened from 2 out, 4th of 7, 19 1/4l behind Uncle Alastair (12-0) at Ayr 2m (4) hvy in Jan.
Nando (GER) 9-2 (11-5) Tracked leader, led from 2nd, pressed from 2 out, headed before last, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Grand Morning (11-5) at Ayr 2m mdn (5) hvy in Jan.
Peters Grey (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, in 4th and weakened before 2 out, 5th of 8, dist behind Grand Morning (11-5) at Ayr 2m mdn (5) hvy in Jan.
Up Helly Aa King 200-1 (11-2) Towards rear, pushed along before 3 out and weakened, last of 7, dist behind Uncle Alastair (12-0) at Ayr 2m (4) hvy in Jan.
Amybell 66-1 (11-7) Always towards rear, slight mistake 2nd, never a factor, 10th of 14, dist behind Martello Park (11-7) at Fairyhouse 2m 2f mdn hvy in Jan.
Take The High Road 11-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, chased leader from 2 out until last, weakened run-in, 5th of 6, 6 3/4l behind Solo Saxophone (11-5) at Wetherby 2m (4) hvy in Jan.
