with leader until after 1st, chased leaders, pushed along in 3rd 3 out, weakened before last
chased leaders, ridden before 2 out, kept on same pace
behind, pushed along halfway, soon struggling, pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, pushed along after 9th, soon struggling, tailed off, pulled up
always towards rear, pulled up
towards rear, in rear from 8th, tailed off
always towards rear, tailed off halfway, soon pulled up
mid-division, pushed along after 9th, soon outpaced, tailed off
chased leaders, led 3rd, headed 4 out, soon regained lead, ridden before last, held on gamely towards finish
led to 3rd, lost place from before 4 out, tailed off, pulled up
mid-division, headway halfway, led 4 out, soon headed, ridden before last and every chance, kept on and held towards finish
Ector was having only his second start over fences when runner-up at Ffos Las but MISTY MAI (NAP) is more consistent than her rivals. Dai Rees’ mare has also won over course and distance off a much higher mark in the past and is almost certain to be in the firing-line again. Kilcrea Bridge only ran at Taunton four days ago so this may come too soon while Hepburn is now tried in blinkers. Cock A Doodle Doo hasn’t shown much since joining Venetia Williams while Onurbike turned in a shocker at Ffos Las when on a hat-trick and may be too high in the weights now.
Hepburn 17-2 (11-10) Led until 4th, ridden approaching 3 out, lost place 2 out, 4th of 7, 5 1/2l behind See Forever (11-10) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (5) hvy in Dec.
Kilcrea Bridge 5-1fav (11-10) Held up towards rear, headway chasing leaders in back straight final circuit, challenging for well held 2nd when mistake 3 out, mistake last, lost 2nd run-in, 3rd of 15, 2 1/2l behind Great Tempo (11-2) at Taunton 3m 2f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Petronella Manners 20-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, mistake 4th, blundered 5 out, soon no impression, 4th of 10, 24 1/4l behind Elite Garde (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Cap Horner (FR) 20-1 (11-3) Rear of mid-division, mistake 3rd, struggling 14th, tailed off, 7th of 13, dist behind Thomas Shelby (11-10) at Huntingdon 3m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Cock A Doodle Doo (FR) 9-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, went 2nd 5th until 7th, lost place 8th, weakened before 3 out, 8th of 11, dist behind Templier (10-9) at Hereford 2m hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Misty Mai (IRE) 13-8fav (10-3) Held up and behind, headway 11th, chased winner from 12th, no impression from 4 out, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 7, 16 3/4l behind One Style (11-7) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Heresmynumber (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway chasing leaders after 4th, hampered 2 out, 3rd and one pace from last, 3rd of 16, 11l behind Jimmy (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Onurbike 10-1 (11-1) In touch, hit 6th, mistake 12th, driven 4 out, mistake 2 out, weakened last, 7th of 10, 21 1/2l behind Heavenly Promise (11-6) at Ffos Las 3m hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Ballybreen (IRE) 12-1 (10-5) Not that fluent in rear, mistake 5th, tailed off 11th, pulled up before 4 out, at Ludlow 3m hcp (4) sft in Nov.
The Last Bridge 16-1 (10-0) Chased leaders early, behind from 4th, lost touch before 8th, tailed off when pulled up after 10th, at Market Rasen 3m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Eaton Miller (IRE) 4-1fav (10-0) Towards rear, not fluent 8th, ridden before 13th, no impression from 4 out, plugged on, 5th of 10, 16 1/4l behind Brigadier Bob (11-9) at Hereford 3m 1f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Ector (FR) 5-1 (10-0) Prominent, led 4th, headed 3 out, rallied last, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Arqalina (10-8) at Ffos Las 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
