mid-division, outpaced 4 out, weakened next
tracked leader until fell 4th
raced keenly, mid-division, hit 2 out, soon driven and outpaced, weakened before last
mid-division, chased leaders 4 out, ridden after next, kept on same pace, never on terms
tracked leading pair, left 2nd 4th until after 7th, challenged 4 out, led 2 out, clear last, stayed on well
mid-division, outpaced 4 out, weakened next
led, ridden after 3 out, headed next, kept on same pace under pressure, no impression with winner flat
tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, kept on same pace from next, no impression
held up behind, ridden after 3 out, kept on same pace from next, never troubled leaders
raced keenly, held up behind, headway 4 out, ridden to chase leaders 2 out, kept on same pace, never on terms
raced keenly, held up in rear, headway into mid-division after 4th, tracked leader after 7th, every chance 4 out, kept on until driven and one pace before last
Western High should build on his Towcester bumper win in December now tackling a longer trip but the one to beat in this opener should be ARDKILLY GUNNER. His latest second to Rev It Up at Ffos Las in November has worked out well and, with the ground riding heavy, the drop in distance is unlikely to be an issue. Laflammedeglorie and Truckers Benefit have a little to prove after disappointing last time but still look the pick of the remainder.
Admiral Blake 150-1 (11-4) Always behind, tailed off, 10th of 13, well behind Dildar (10-7) at Taunton 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Ardkilly Gunner (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Mainly tracked winner until outpaced 4 out, rallied to chase winner again after 2 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 7, 6l behind Rev It Up (11-5) at Ffos Las 3m nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Generous Kenny 200-1 (11-1) Held up towards rear, struggling before 3 out, not fluent 2 out, tailed off, 14th of 16, well behind Tour D'argent (11-8) at Hereford 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Henry The First (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Chased leader in 2nd, 3rd 5 out, weakened after 4 out, 13th of 23, well behind Sixteen Forty Two (11-12) at Cork 2m mdn hdl in Jul.
Laflammedeglorie 8-1 (11-6) Prominent, not fluent 6th, not fluent and weakened next, tailed off, 7th of 11, well behind Simply Ben (10-13) at Ffos Las 2m 6f mdn hdl (5) sft in Jan.
Massapoag (IRE) 200-1 (10-13) Always in rear, struggling and lost touch 8th, tailed off, 9th of 10, well behind Open Hearted (11-13) at Folkestone 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
Power Man (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Tracked leader until over 4f out, weakened over 2f out, 5th of 7, 18l behind Oscar Whisky (11-0) at Kempton 2m n h flat (6) std.
Prankster 14-1 (11-5) Held up, headway 5th, weakened after 7th, tailed off, last of 6, well behind Benheir (11-5) at Ffos Las 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Truckers Benefit (IRE) 20-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 5th, weakened before 2 out, tailed off, 9th of 10, well behind Ambion Wood (11-0) at Chepstow 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
Western High 8-1 (10-7) In rear, pushed along over 4f out, headway 2f out, kept on to lead close home, won at Towcester 2m NH flat (6) gs in Dec beating Looking Hopeful (10-11) by 1/2l, 8 ran.
Sunshine Buddy 50-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 6th, no impression on leaders from 3 out, left 4th when mistake 2 out, blundered last, 4th of 13, 30l behind Elegant Touch (11-3) at Taunton 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Master Neo (FR) 100-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, lost place after 7th, behind when pulled up 2 out, in a race won by Imperial Circus (10-12) at Taunton 3m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Dec, 14 ran.
