towards rear, fell 1st
with leader, headed before 4 out, weakened before 2 out
always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
in rear, headway 5 out, kept on to take 3rd from last
made all, ridden before 4 out, clear before last
mid-division, headway before 5 out, pushed along before next, one pace and no impression
tracked leaders, went 2nd from 3 out, kept on and no chance with winner
tracked leaders in 4th, outpaced before 4 out, kept on and no impression
NonRunner
MIGHTY LEADER (NAP) did well to beat Mother Meldrum over hurdles here last week as that run came just over 24 hours after he'd finished third at Hereford. He meets that rival on the same terms as the pair switch to fences and can confirm his superiority. Moorlands George has been raised 4lb for winning at Newton Abbot and has never raced on ground this quick while there are also going concerns surrounding Umberto D'olivate and Mister Dick fell when upped to 3m at Wetherby. Cowards Close is struggling at present and none of the others make much appeal.
Mighty Leader (IRE) 2-1fav (11-9) Held up in mid-division, headway approaching 6th, led 3 out, clear flat, ran on well, won at Exeter 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Nov beating Mother Meldrum (11-7) by 4l, 7 ran.
Moorlands George 3-1 (11-12) Chasing leaders when left in 2nd place 2nd, ridden after 4 out, led 2 out, driven out, won at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (4) gd in Oct beating Louis Phillipe (10-8) by 1 1/2l, 6 ran.
Cowards Close (IRE) 5-2jfav (11-7) Ran in snatches, chased leaders, 2nd 4 out until ridden approaching 2 out, 3rd and well held when blundered last, 3rd of 6, 14 1/4l behind Best Boy Barney (10-13) at Kempton 3m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Mother Meldrum (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway 6th, outpaced after 4 out, rallied 3 out, 2nd next, no impression on winner flat, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Mighty Leader (11-9) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Umberto D'olivate (FR) 4-1 (11-0) Reminders to lead, headed before 3rd, led again next, ridden before 15th, headed soon after, chased winner until before 4 out, kept on same pace in 3rd, 3rd of 9, 7 1/4l behind Barton Gift (11-1) at Exeter 3m 7f hcp (3) gs in Apr.
Mister Dick (FR) 5-1 (10-8) Mid-division, fell 5th, at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Replacement Plan (IRE) 6-1 (11-8) Led until 3rd, tracked leaders, driven when not fluent 3 out, no extra in 3rd before last, 3rd of 6, 20 1/2l behind Kapgarde King (11-12) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (4) gf in Oct.
Trehan Cross 33-1 (11-7) (cp) hdwy 12; outpcd 14, 5th of 16, 13 1/4l behind Vards (12-0) at Upcott Cross 3m gf in May.
Castarnie 5-1 (11-3) Mid-division, jumped right, mistake 1st, jumped right 8th, struggling 10th, behind 12th, pulled up before 14th, at Warwick 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
