held up towards rear on outside, closed briefly before 3rd but soon steadied, effort 2 out, no impression before last, well beaten flat
tracked leader, led 3rd, ridden and headed after last bend, no impression on winner last, lost 2nd close home
tracked leaders, took keen hold, ridden approaching last, stayed on same pace
mid-division, mistake 5th, ridden and one pace in 5th last, weakened flat
tracked leaders, travelled strongly, went 2nd before 4th, led after last bend, drawing clear last, stayed on strongly, easily
held up in rear, ridden after 2 out, never on terms, well beaten flat
held up in rear, effort on outside 2 out, soon outpaced, stayed on flat, finished well and took 2nd close home, no chance with winner
held up in mid-division, headway 3 out, ridden and stayed on same pace last, no extra close home
led until mistake 3rd, lost place before 3 out, soon behind
NonRunner
NonRunner
Al Dancer and Shalakar are most definitely on the improve but the bottom three in the handicap all carry penalties for recent victories with the hat-trick seeking Master Work looking the pick of those. Smaoineamh Alainn won this last year and is only 2lb higher. He’s been highly tried so far this season and will enjoy the return to handicap company but MAGIC DANCER (NAP) is very much a course specialist, with two wins and a second from three previous visits, and the booking of Richard Johnson suggests he’ll be coming with his usual late charge up the hill. A Hare Breath is eased in grade but Champagne City returns from a break and Highest Sun looks harshly treated for what he’s achieved.
A Hare Breath (IRE) 3-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, driven after 3 out, outpaced when left disputing 3rd next, beaten when went left last, 5th of 7, 20 1/4l behind Bun Doran (11-10) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Champagne City 9-4 (11-10) Tracked leader, slow 1st, not fluent 5th, slow next, mistake when driven 3 out, weakened next, modest 4th, 4th of 5, 28l behind High Secret (11-8) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (2) gd in Jul.
Highest Sun (FR) 16-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, led 4 out, ridden and headed approaching last, hung left flat, kept on, 3rd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Didtheyleaveuoutto (11-5) at Ascot 2m (2) gd in Nov.
Smaoineamh Alainn (IRE) 40-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, pushed along and weakened 2 out, 5th of 7, 25 1/4l behind Verdana Blue (10-11) at Wincanton 1m 7f (1) gd in Nov.
Al Dancer (FR) (11-4) Jumped slickly, led until eased and headed approaching 3rd, in front again before next, made rest, quickened clear run-in, very easily, won at Ffos Las 2m (4) sft in Nov beating Present Value (10-12) by 2l, 7 ran.
Magic Dancer 11-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear, headway 5 out, chased leaders after next, stayed on same pace approaching last, 5th of 11, 6 1/2l behind Black Mischief (11-0) at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Not That Fuisse (FR) 25-1 (10-0) Held up in rear, headway after 2 out (usual 3 out), ridden and wide turning in, switched inside and kept on from over 1f out, never nearer, 6th of 18, 10l behind Nietzsche (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (1) gd in Nov.
Master Work (FR) 6-5fav (11-10) Tracked leaders, chased leader 2 out, not fluent and led last, ridden out, won at Leicester 2m hcp (4) gf in Dec beating The Twisler (11-8) by 3 1/4l, 6 ran.
Ninepointsixthree 9-4fav (10-12) Made all, clear from 2 out, kept on strongly, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Culmination (11-5) by 7l, 11 ran.
Shalakar (FR) 20-1 (10-9) Tracked winner, joined winner briefly 3 out, soon ridden kept on same pace, 3rd of 11, 10l behind Whatmore (11-3) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Jam Session (IRE) 9-2 (11-0) Tracked leader, hit 2nd, led approaching 2 out, ridden clear next, eased close home, won at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Chase End Charlie (11-1) by 3 3/4l, 5 ran.
