led to after 1st, tracked leader, disputed lead from 5th, led 4 out, driven and hard pressed 2 out, headed between last 2, no chance with winner flat, eased towards finish
led after 1st, jumped left, joined 5th, headed 4 out, outpaced in 4th next, soon weakened, tailed off
tracked leaders to before 4 out, soon lost touch, plugged on to take remote 4th before last, tailed off
held up behind, struggling 5 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up behind, chased leaders 4 out, outpaced in 3rd before 2 out, no chance with front pair after, flattered by proximity to eased down runner-up
held up behind, blundered badly 11th, not recover and soon struggling, pulled up before next
tracked leaders, went 2nd 4 out, not fluent next, challenged 2 out, led between last 2, drew readily clear flat
Nonrunner
SONOFTHEKING and old-timer Paddy The Oscar lock horns again after finishing 1-2 at Exeter. The latter is 7lb better off for less than a length so is entitled to turn the tables but we’ll stick with Nicky Martin’s charge, who now wears cheekpieces and may appreciate this further step up in distance on the ground. Tb Broke Her made a promising start for Matt Shepherd at Ludlow and was second over 3m1f at Wexford in September, though remains winless over fences. Ffos Las third Black Narcissus is back on a winning mark so can’t be ignored.
Sonoftheking (IRE) 22-1 (11-5) Tracked leader, ridden to lead before 4 out, pressed when left clear 2 out, held on towards finish, driven out, won at Exeter 3m hcp (4) gs in Nov beating Paddy The Oscar (11-11) by 3/4l, 11 ran.
Paddy The Oscar (IRE) 13-2 (11-11) Led, headed before 4 out, left 2nd from 2 out, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 11, 3/4l behind Sonoftheking (11-5) at Exeter 3m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Boyfromnowhere (IRE) 9-2 (10-12) Jumped right, held up in rear, modest 6th 14th, never involved, well beaten 4 out, 6th of 9, dist behind Cobajayisland (11-5) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Black Narcissus (IRE) 12-1 (12-0) Close up, tracked leaders 13th, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 7, 6 1/4l behind Magical Man (11-2) at Ffos Las 3m hcp (5) hvy in Nov.
Handsome Sam 14-1 (11-11) Mid-division, kept on same pace from 4 out, no impression, 5th of 12, 23 1/2l behind Red Square Revival (11-8) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Dec.
What Larks (IRE) 12-1 (11-13) In rear, pushed along 4th, always behind, pulled up before 4 out, at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp (5) gd in May.
Tb Broke Her (IRE) 11-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, ridden before 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 12, 16l behind Red Square Revival (11-8) at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Dec.
Astigos (FR) 66-1 (10-0) Slowly away, behind, blundered 4 out, soon beaten, 9th of 11, 29 1/2l behind Siruh Du Lac (10-10) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
