rear division, headway after 4 out, led before 3 out, headed 2 out, rallied from last, kept on to lead towards finish, gamely
tracked leaders, in 4th before last, one pace and no impression
held up mid-division, pushed along 4 out, soon lost place
held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders before 4 out, weakened from 2 out
led, headed before 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, pushed along and reminder before 4 out, some headway from 2 out, one pace
tracked leader, pushed along and lost place after 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
in rear, headway before 3 out, led 2 out, soon hard pressed, kept on and headed towards finish, just held
prominent, went 2nd from 3 out, soon outpaced
NonRunner
Constantine Bay is two from two over hurdles but has yet to encounter ground this quick. Fountains Windfall has his stamina to prove but Strong Pursuit has looked a stayer in the making at Hereford and Wincanton, though may also do better when tackling fences. GIVE ME A COPPER (NAP) is another who should thrive over the larger obstacles but he was so impressive when pulling clear of a subsequent winner on debut at Exeter that it would be no surprise to see him line up in the Albert Bartlett in March if all goes to plan here. No Hassle Hoff wasn’t disgraced in this grade at Cheltenham last time and looks the pick of the remainder ahead of Southwell winner Minella Aris and the mare Happy Diva.
Constantine Bay Evensfav (11-12) Chased leaders on inside, challenged from 3 out, led before last, clear flat, easily, won at Chepstow 2m 3f (4) hvy in Jan beating Prime Venture (11-12) by 6l, 10 ran.
Duel At Dawn (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Made all, ridden before 2 out, kept on well from last, won at Doncaster 3m (3) gd in Dec beating Blue Rambler (11-4) by 16l, 2 ran.
Dingo Dollar (IRE) Evensfav (11-0) Tracked leader, led approaching 2 out, driven out, ran on well, won at Bangor 2m 7f mdn (4) gs in Jan beating Zerachiel (11-0) by 3 1/2l, 5 ran.
Give Me A Copper (IRE) 4-6fav (11-0) Tracked leaders on outside, hit 6th, left in close 2nd next, led on bit 3 out, clear when hit next, easily, won at Exeter 2m 7f mdn (4) sft in Dec beating Bindon Mill (11-0) by 14l, 17 ran.
Major Mac 100-1 (11-7) Led approaching 1st, set strong pace and soon clear with rival, reduced lead 4 out, ridden and headed between last two, dropped to 3rd and no extra when mistake last, weakened run-in, 5th of 8, 10 3/4l behind Messire Des Obeaux (11-7) at Newbury 2m 5f (1) gs in Dec.
Minella Aris (IRE) 6-4fav (10-12) Chased leaders, not fluent 9th, not clear run briefly when going well before 2 out, 2nd after 2 out, led last, stayed on well, won at Southwell 3m (4) gs in Nov beating For Instance (10-12) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Strong Pursuit (IRE) 4-9fav (11-4) Made all, not fluent 6th or 4 out, ridden after 2 out, clear last, stayed on, won at Hereford 2m 4f (4) sft in Jan beating Town Parks (10-12) by 8l, 14 ran.
No Hassle Hoff (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Held up, closed 8th, not pace of front pair last, hung left and kept on flat, no impression, 3rd of 6, 4 1/4l behind Wholestone (11-5) at Cheltenham 3m (1) sft in Dec.
Happy Diva (IRE) 9-4jfav (12-4) Prominent, led before 3 out, always going well, shaken up a little after last, very easily, won at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) gs in Jan beating Two Swallows (11-6) by 7l, 7 ran.
Fountains Windfall 12-1 (10-3) Held up in mid-division on outside, headway chasing leaders approaching 3 out, no impression when hung right and hit 2 out, ridden and weakened soon after, 7th of 13, 12 3/4l behind Modus (11-4) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp lst (1) gs in Jan.
