held up towards rear, headway approaching 5th, soon ridden, weakened approaching 3 out
held up behind, some headway approaching 7th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, headway 6th, soon ridden, weakened 3 out
led, headed approaching 7th, ridden to chase leaders, kept on same pace, mistake last
mid-division, not fluent 5th, weakened next, pulled up before 3 out
tracked leader, led approaching 7th, in command from 3 out, very easily
always towards rear, pulled up before 3 out,
chased leaders until 6th, soon behind, pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, mistake 1st, headway under pressure approaching 3 out, hit 2 out, stayed on, never troubled leaders
in touch until 5th
mid-division, ridden and lost place 5th, headway under pressure approaching 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, no chance of winner
prominent until 6th, one pace after
chased leaders until weakened after 3 out
held up towards rear, headway 6th, weakened after next
Although Hilarious probably needs to step up a gear here, she at least has winning form and is taken to follow up at the expense of Micky Cole, Barathea Blue and Gunship to name but three. In truth nothing makes that much appeal here, but something has to win it so we nominate Hilarious as a likely contender. Dr Jeremy Naylor's mare was given an enterprising ride from the front by Andrew Thornton to score at Fontwell last time, and although the form is nothing special, she can pop in again in this uninspiring contest. Micky Cole hails from a top yard but has yet to prove himself this term, while Barathea Blue has shown nothing lately, but then neither have the rest of Pipe's team in the main, so we would not be surprised if he were to show some improvement. Gunship has a light weight and makes slightly more appeal than the other Hobbs runner Sanmartin, but for the winner we return to Hilarious.
Micky Cole (IRE) 15-2 (10-12) Held up in rear, behind from 6th, 6th of 14, 49l behind Magnifico (11-5) at Hereford 2m 3f nov hdl (E) gd in Nov.
Barathea Blue 40-1 (10-12) Held up, always towards rear, 10th of 18, 39l behind Dare Too Dream (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hdl (D) gs in Dec.
Instant Appeal 20-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace, 4th of 16, 6l behind Hilarious (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (F) gd in Dec.
Hilarious (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Made all, stayed on gamely, ridden out, won at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (F) gd in Dec beating Barranco (11-2) by 3l, 16 ran.
Case Equal (IRE) 10-3fav (11-8) fell in race won by Ashgan (10-4) at Worcester 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (G) gf in Jul, 19 ran.
Sandmartin (IRE) 40-1 (10-12) Mid-division, lost touch 4th, soon weakened, 10th of 17, 41l behind Sea The Light (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (D) gs in Nov.
Frosty Jak 8-1 (10-6) Mid-division, slightly hampered 7th, one pace from next, 6th of 19, 20l behind Kings Rock (11-7) at Exeter 2m 6f amt hcp hdl 0-100 (F) gs in Dec.
Lady Alderbrook (IRE) 25-1 (10-11) Mid-division, ridden after 7th, not quicken, 5th of 10, 40l behind Inch Pride (12-0) at N Abbot 2m 6f mrs nov hdl (E) gd in Apr.
Mizinky 12-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders until ridden and weakened 3 out, 8th of 17, 27l behind Nutcracker Lad (10-0) at Huntingdon 2m 5f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (G) gd in Mar '04.
Classic Clover 14-1 (10-8) Led to 3rd, with leader until led approaching 7th, ridden approaching 8th, headed 2 out, weakened approaching last, 6th of 14, 35l behind Thedreamstillalive (10-13) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (E) gs in Dec.
Gunship (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, settled in mid-division after 2nd, pushed along after next, soon behind, 13th of 15, well behind Circassian (11-0) at Haydock 2m nov hdl (D) sft in Dec.
Denarius Secundus 25-1 (10-4) Prominent until 7th, tailed off, 10th of 16, well behind Hilarious (11-0) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (F) gd in Dec.
Stakeholder (IRE) 33-1 (10-1) Prominent, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 5th of 11, 27l behind Caesarean Hunter (10-10) at Exeter 2m 3f cnd nov hcp hdl (F) sft in Dec.
Garhoud 66-1 (10-12) Led to 4th, weakened after next, behind when blundered 2 out, 8th of 11, 31l behind Patman Du Charmil (11-5) at Warwick 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) sft in Dec.
