prominent on outside, lost place and reminders after 11th, behind from 4 out, tailed off
in touch, not fluent and dropped towards rear 2nd, headway 10th, driven and outpaced after 4 out, ridden after 2 out, modest 4th from last
held up behind, headway after 5 out, went 2nd and poised to challenge 3 out, ridden and unable to quickened between last 2, no chance with winner after
always prominent, tracked leader halfway, challenged 4 out, led next, driven clear between last 2, ridden out, stayed on well
held up behind, headway 4 out, driven to chase front pair before 2 out, kept on same pace, never a threat
held up in touch on outside, lost place 9th, behind from 12th, ridden after 3 out, never threatened leaders
chased leaders, outpaced 4 out, never on terms, weakened 2 out
led, joined 4 out, headed next, weakened 2 out, behind when pulled up before last
Misfits beat Frank The Slink a long way at Hexham in October and is fancied to confirm superiority despite a 10lb rise. But MAHLER LAD finished runner-up in a qualifying chase over a longer trip here on his comeback and Donald McCain’s charge should make a bold bid back over 3m and racing off the same mark. Achill Road Boy is another likely to improve for a recent reappearance though will need to and Knocknamona posted a better effort at Wetherby recently which suggests a big run from him. Nortonthorpelegend finished second in last year’s renewal but has lost his way subsequently and tumbled down the weights as a consequence.
Mahler Lad (IRE) 11-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, pushed along and outpaced approaching 4 out, plugged on from 2 out, went 2nd towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 9l behind Sharp Response (11-12) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Misfits (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) In touch, mistake 7th, headway approaching 14th, led 4 out, mistake 2 out, drew well clear before last, easily, won at Hexham 3m hcp (4) sft in Oct beating Frank The Slink (10-0) by 19l, 8 ran.
Knocknamona (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Led, dived at 1st, headed 3rd, chased leader until after 10th, chased leaders, outpaced 15th, no danger after, 6th of 7, 5 1/4l behind Miles To Milan (11-12) at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Kings Eclipse (IRE) 25-1 (11-11) Close up, not fluent 4th and 5th, ridden 14th, weakened 3 out, 5th of 11, 19 3/4l behind Toosey (11-6) at Ayr 3m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Achill Road Boy (IRE) 11-1 (11-7) In rear, headway 15th, ridden 4 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 11, 15l behind Toosey (11-6) at Ayr 3m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Nortonthorpelegend (IRE) 16-1 (11-7) Raced wide in touch, ridden and outpaced 11th, beaten when hampered by loose horse 3 out, pulled up before next, at Ayr 3m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Purple Harry 7-2fav (11-0) Mid-division, effort 13th, ridden next, struggling after 15th, left remote 4th after 2 out, 4th of 14, 33 1/2l behind Chicago Outfit (11-6) at Hexham 3m hcp (5) sft in Apr.
Frank The Slink 17-2 (10-8) Led after 1st, driven when challenged 2 out, headed after last, rallied and every chance throughout run in, no extra close home, 2nd of 10, 1/2l behind Inchcolm (10-10) at Hexham 3m hcp (5) gd in Nov.
