mid-division, badly bumped 6 out, headway next, chased leader before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, challenging when rider lost whip before last, led last, kept on strongly
held up towards rear, headway 12th, went 2nd before 4 out, ridden before next, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leader, jumped right, led 11th, headed 7 out, weakened before 3 out, pulled up
tracked leaders, led 7 out, clear before 3 out, headed last, no extra
led, headed 11th, jumped left 6 out and badly bumped rival horse, soon lost place
prominent, weakened from 5 out, pulled up
held up towards rear and mistakes, weakened before 5 out
mid-division, mistake 12th, headway 3 out, ridden before 2 out, one pace
in rear, mistake 13th, headway before 2 out, soon went 3rd, one pace
always towards rear
A number arrive in form, including HIGH COUNSEL. The gelding completed his hat-trick in style and now finds himself 22lb higher in the ratings compared to the start of his winning run. Yet to tackle a trip such as this, the way he strode home at Warwick last time suggested he'll make a good fist of this 3m5f test. Sheneededtherun also arrives seeking a four-timer and is impossible to ignore. Up 17lb for her three wins, all under today's pilot, she should go well despite the concession of weight all round. Big Difference is a possible improver and Misfits would not be without a chance off this mark. Lucinda Russell's charge is not the most consistent but he's a dour stayer on his day and is assured of staying this demanding trip.
Sheneededtherun (IRE) 4-1 (11-9) Held up, headway into 2nd approaching halfway, led 4 out, stayed on well, won at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Lamanver Odyssey (11-9) by 3 3/4l, 6 ran.
Angels Antics 8-1 (11-7) Jumped right at times, led and set slow pace, hit 7th, headed and weakened before 3 out, tailed off, last of 7, dist behind Copper Gone West (12-3) at Doncaster 3m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Big Difference (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) Chased leaders, bumped 1st, lost place 6th, closed 9th, 3 lengths 3rd when slithered badly on landing 4 out, no impression after, kept on flat, 4th of 7, 9 3/4l behind Fort Gabriel (12-0) at Ludlow 3m hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Clondaw Bisto (IRE) 5-1 (11-3) Soon in rear, struggling 6th, tailed off when mistake 12th, pulled up after 2 out (normal 3 out), at Plumpton 3m 2f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Benechenko (IRE) 4-1 (11-11) Chased leader, pushed along before 7th, lost 2nd before next, chased leaders, outpaced before 15th, rallied into 3rd 2 out,, 3rd of 7, 26 1/4l behind Hastrubal (11-10) at Sedgefield 3m 2f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
High Counsel (IRE) 11-2 (10-3) Always handy, led after 3 out, shaken up flat, soon clear, easily, won at Warwick 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Jan beating Lord In Red (11-5) by 7 1/2l, 9 ran.
Misfits (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) Held up, closed after 5 out, no impression from 3 out, 4th of 6, 13 1/4l behind Samstown (11-5) at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Alberto's Dream 20-1 (11-12) In rear, headway after 12th, weakening when mistake 3 out, 8th of 10, dist behind Alminar (12-0) at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Steel Native (IRE) 11-1 (10-10) Always in rear, mistake 7th, no chance when tried to refuse and unseated rider last, at Ffos Las 3m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Cruising Bye 18-1 (10-13) In rear, not much room 1st, behind 8th, hampered 12th, soon pulled up, at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
