tracked leaders, mistake 1st, fell 10th
prominent until not fluent 3rd, tracked leaders, mistake and lost place 11th, well beaten 5 out
mid-division, not fluent 2nd, blundered 7th, pushed along when hampered 10th, mistake 12th, behind when hit 13th, pulled up before 5 out
held up in rear, not fluent 1st, mistake and reminder 3rd, headway 10th, 3rd when mistake 5 out, not much room when mistake next, weakened before 2 out
held up, headway 9th, went 2nd before 5 out, led 2 out, jumped left last, drivne out
led, hit 3 out, headed next, no extra flat
prominent, jumped left and not fluent 4th, weakened 5 out, pulled up after
tracked leaders, not much room on bend after 2nd, lost place next, mistake 11th, soon behind, tailed off 13th, soon pulled up
held up in rear, not fluent 4th, mistake 7th, headway 13th, went 2nd last, stayed on, not quite able to challenge
Smiles For Miles won over course and distance last month and followed up under a big weight at Wetherby. He should make a bold bid for the hat-trick but has been hit with another 9lb rise and this is a much more competitive affair. Minellahalfcentury is another recent track and trip winner but he may struggle to confirm that form with runner-up BALLYCULLA on 10lb worse terms. Like the top weight, Gavin Sheehan's mount is learning with experience and will enjoy the soft ground. Big Hands Harry had Minella On Line behind when scoring at Ascot and is another with decent claims but the remainder will need to improve to take a hand in the finish.
Minellahalfcentury (IRE) 2-1fav (10-9) Chased leader, led 9th, made rest, clear 3 out, hit next, kept on strongly, won at Chepstow 3m nov hcap ch (3) gs beating Ballyculla (11-8) by 8l, 8 ran.
Big Hands Harry 15-8fav (11-3) Jumped left throughout, chased leader, led 4th, went badly left 3 out soon headed and dropped to 4th, rallied into 3rd before 2 out, ridden between last two, stayed on into 2nd final 100 yards, closed on idling/hanging leader to lead again last stride, won at Ascot 3m nov hcap ch (3) sft in Nov beating Polisky (10-12) by shd, 6 ran.
Minella On Line (IRE) 5-1 (11-8) Never travelled in last pair, pushed along and struggling after 8th, pulled up before 10th, in a race won by Gevrey Chambertin (11-2) at Newbury 3m nov hcap ch (3) gs, 10 ran.
Ballyculla (IRE) 7-2 (11-8) Held up and behind, steady headway 13th, went 2nd before the last, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 8, 8l behind Minellahalfcentury (10-9) at Chepstow 3m nov hcap ch (3) gs.
Cogry 8-1 (10-10) Pressed leader, hampered and fell 10th, in a race won by Top Totti (10-8) at Uttoxeter 3m nov chs (4) sft, 5 ran.
Smiles For Miles (IRE) 4-5fav (12-0) With leader, led before and mistake 4 out, clear after 3 out, won at Wetherby 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Nov beating Greenlaw (11-12) by 18l, 6 ran.
Sir Mangan (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Slight lead until 3rd, chased leader until 7th, chased leading pair, pushed along 11th, weakened after 4 out, tailed off, 5th of 8, 32l behind Generous Ransom (11-6) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft.
Moss On The Mill 2-1fav (11-8) Behind, went poor 4th before 3 out, no impression, 4th of 6, well behind Ballyheigue Bay (11-8) at Fontwell 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft.
Allez Vic (IRE) 12-1 (10-7) Held up behind in touch, headway after 3 out, chased leaders on outside next, ridden and kept on flat, took 3rd post, not reach leaders, 3rd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Black River (11-1) at Taunton 2m 3f nov hcap ch (3) sft.
