tracked clear winner, pushed along 3 out, ridden 2 out, kept on flat, no threat to winner
in touch, not fluent 5th/6th, pushed along 7th, struggling 4 out, behind when pulled up 2 out
pushed along leaving start, dropped to rear approaching 1st, soon struggling, tailed off when pulled up soon after 6th
close up, pushed along 3 out, ridden next, kept on to go 3rd approaching last
tracked leaders, mistake 5 out, pushed along 3 out, ridden and weakened approaching last
made most, clear when hit 7th, hit 2 out, ridden out
Jonjo O’Neill saddled last year’s winner but Front View hasn’t really looked like getting his head in front since arriving at the yard. Sporty Jim looks a better bet than stablemate Best Trition after a pipe-opener at Wetherby but others are preferred. Chris Cool wasn’t beaten far at Bangor after scoring at Huntingdon and Shoeshine Boy has found only one too good at Hexham and Kelso this season but HILL OF TARA has looked a reformed character this term and the bottom weight has the ground in his favour again.
Front View (FR) 17-2 (11-11) Held up in rear, headway 6th, switched left after 2 out, 2 lengths 3rd when blundered and rider became unbalanced last, well held after, 3rd of 9, 14 3/4l behind Ballymagroarty Boy (12-0) at Ffos Las 3m hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Sporty Jim (IRE) 18-1 (11-1) Held up off the pace in last pair, dropped to rear when not fluent 4 out, plugged on run-in, 5th of 10, 16 1/4l behind Bashers Reflection (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Best Trition (IRE) 7-1 (11-11) In touch, pushed along to go close up 4th, mistake 5 out, soon weakened, pulled up 3 out, at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Chris Cool 3-1 (10-7) Held up in rear, in touch with leaders 3 out, soon ridden, waiting for clear passage 2 out, kept on same pace approaching last, kept on run-in, dead-heated for 2nd, not reach winner, 2nd of 6, 3/4l behind Tanganyika (11-5) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 7f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Shoeshine Boy (IRE) 11-4fav (10-9) Chased leader, ridden 2 out, upsides and every chance last, no extra flat, 2nd of 9, 3 3/4l behind Butler's Brief (11-11) at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Hill Of Tara 2-7fav (10-6) Chased winner from 1st, ridden to challenge 2 out, went left last, no impression flat, 2nd of 4, 2l behind Aristobulus (10-10) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
