prominent, chased leader 3 out, led on bit after, soon ridden, headed approaching 2 out, no extra
always towards rear, no impression
chased leader, ridden 3 out, stayed on one pace from 2 out
prominent, chased leader 3 out, ridden and led approaching 2 out, driven clear flat
always towards rear, pulled up after 5th
mid-division, ridden 6th, weakened 3 out
mid-division, weakened 4th, pulled up after 5th
towards rear, ridden 6th, soon weakened
prominent, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, ridden 6th, weakened approaching 3 out
led to approaching 4th, ridden and weakened 6th, pulled up before last
chased leader, led approaching 4th, ridden and headed after 3 out, weakened approaching last
mid-division, headway and chased leader approaching 3 out, one pace from 2 out, mistake last
in touch, ridden after 6th, weakened 3 out
never better than mid-division
always towards rear, weakened 6th
Alan King's Katess, a winner on better ground in a bumper and over hurdles, has shown enough on a soft surface to suggest that the ground should be of no problem but she may be a shade high in the weights and preference is for Brilliant, with Soixante rated the pick of the remainder. The selection has shown progressive form in soft ground handicaps of late and, while he has been punished by the handicapper for those successes, the five-year-old again has conditions to suit, remains in good form and looks the one they all have to beat. Atacama Star put up a decent performance when successful over fences last time and has to be of interest back over hurdles, while Chicago Alley may be having a confidence booster after two falls in his last two starts over fences. Azione has given little real sign of encouragement but may do better now handicapping, a comment that also applies to Posh Emily. Henrietta Knight's Soixante is less exposed than most and is another that has to be considered but preference is for the in-form Brilliant.
Soixante (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Held up, headway 7th, ridden to chase winner approaching 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Pocket Aces (11-12) at Plumpton 2m 5f nh nov hdl (3) sft.
El Batal (IRE) 15-2 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway after 7th, bumped by loose horse on approach to 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 12, 19l behind Rebel Melody (10-12) at Huntingdon 3m 2f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Billy Murphy 10-1 (11-5) In rear, pushed along after 6th, no progress, 11th of 18, 47l behind Big Rob (11-1) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Dec.
Katess (IRE) 4-1 (11-3) Mid-division, good headway after 3 out, went 3rd approaching 2 out, kept on, 3rd of 15, 3 1/2l behind Owlesbury Dream (10-12) at Wincanton 2m mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Humbel Cone (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, lost place 5th, soon tailed off, 8th of 11, well behind Aigle D'or (10-12) at Lingfield 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft.
Hansomelle (IRE) 28-1 (11-11) Handy, ridden when mistake 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 14, 17l behind Virtue (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m mrs hcp hdl (4) hvy.
Alisar (IRE) 100-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, 7th of 11, 35l behind Song of Songs (11-0) at Kempton 2m nov hdl (2) gs in Dec.
Chicago Alley 14-1 (10-13) Towards rear, headway 3 out, led after 2 out, half a length up when fell at the last in race won by Saunders Road (11-12) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Dec, 13 ran.
Azione 25-1 (10-12) Chased leader, led briefly approaching 7th, weakened approaching 2 out, 5th of 14, 14l behind Maggie Mathias (10-12) at Warwick 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Posh Emily 25-1 (11-2) Mid-division, ridden 3 out, kept on but not reach leaders, 4th of 14, 22l behind Mossmann Gorge (11-0) at Wincanton 2m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Dec.
Brilliant (GER) 3-1fav (11-4) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 5th, stayed on same pace from 2 out, 3rd of 15, 6l behind Honour's Dream (11-10) at Warwick 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Dec.
Power Shared (IRE) 40-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, led 3 out, soon ridden and headed, weakened, 4th of 14, 39l behind Celestial Halo (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3yo nov hdl (3) sft in Dec.
Atacama Star 5-1 (11-1) Tracked leader, led 7th, left clear 3 out, won at Hereford 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft beating Norseman Cateline (10-8) by 17l, 11 ran.
Endless Night 7-1 (10-5) Held up, effort and mistake 3 out, one pace, 3rd of 7, 29l behind Sonnengold (10-12) at Hereford 2m 1f sll hdl (5) gs in Dec.
Ruling Reef 18-1 (11-5) Held up mid-division, ridden and headway approaching 5th, weakened after 3 out, 6th of 17, 24l behind Jigsaw Dancer (11-7) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Dec.
Indian Doctor 66-1 (11-6) Held up, some headway 3 out, weakened before next, tailed off, 5th of 11, well behind Quarry Town (11-12) at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) sft.
