made all, jumped left at times, strongly challenged from 2 out, blundered last, kept on well under pressure
tracked leader, effort approaching 2 out, soon one pace
held up in rear, weakened after 5 out, tailed off
chased leaders, mistake 5th, every chance from 2 out, mistake last, no extra closing stages
held up in touch, outpaced approaching 4 out, weakened before next, tailed off, modest 4th
FIN AND GAME (NAP) made a very promising reappearance over a longer trip here four weeks ago and would only need to run up to that form to take this for Donald McCain and Lorcan Murtagh. Chaser Top Gamble may be having a confidence-booster while Minella Charmer usually needs a run or two but Bang On didn’t give his true running at Taunton last time so looks the danger with Notwhatiam having limitations exposed recently.
Minella Charmer (IRE) 14-1 (11-9) Made all, awkward and reached for last, ridden and edged left run-in, driven and stayed on well, won at Newcastle 2m hcp (3) hvy in Mar beating Dali Mail (11-4) by 1 3/4l, 8 ran.
Top Gamble (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, lost place after 9th, remote 5th when fell 2 out, at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Notwhatiam (IRE) 100-1 (11-1) Led, hit and headed 6th, lost place 4 out, behind and weakening when mistake next, tailed off, last of 12, dist behind Bold Plan (11-1) at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Fin And Game (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) In touch on inside, chased leader before 3 out, ridden after next, kept on same pace, lost 2nd after last, no chance with front pair flat, 3rd of 12, 7l behind Bold Plan (11-1) at Haydock 2m 3f hcp (2) gs in Nov.
Bang On (IRE) 5-1 (11-11) Held up in touch, weakened after 3 out, 8th of 16, 29 1/4l behind Dorking Boy (11-12) at Taunton 2m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
