chased clear leader until 6th, went 2nd again 8th until before last, soon beaten, plugged on
towards rear, mistake 3rd and 5th, soon struggling and pulled up before 6th
held up in mid-division, ridden and weakening when not fluent 8th, tailed off
held up in rear, headway before 2 out, weakened approaching last, tailed off
chased leaders, went 2nd 6th until 8th, no impression before last, plugged on
towards rear, driven and behind 7th, tailed off 8th, pulled up after
mid-division, not fluent 6th, weakened 8th, pulled up before last
held up in rear, not fluent 8th, headway approaching 2 out, closed last, led flat, ridden out
soon led and went clear, reduced lead last, headed flat, held after
chased leaders, reminder after 6th, soon lost place, tailed off 8th
NonRunner
Richard Johnson is on board Pleney, who was only beaten 2 lengths in a similar race over the course and distance in October and raced over a trip too short next time. CUDGEL and Espoir Moriviere finished in the places behind No Trumps over the course and distance last month with the former coming out best by a length. Both had every chance and there doesn't appear to be any reason for a form reversal. This looks a tough test for a four-year-old in these conditions and Coniston Spa makes his handicap debut having never been further than 2m1f under Rules.
Aengus (IRE) 18-1 (11-13) Made most until 3 out, soon beaten, 6th of 9, dist behind North Star Oscar (11-11) at Huntingdon 3m 1f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Coniston Spa (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, slightly hampered 3 out, soon ridden, weakened before 2 out, 4th of 11, 29 3/4l behind Timetochill (10-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f mdn (4) sft in Nov.
Pleney 2-1 (12-7) Held up in touch, pushed along after 3 out, ridden before 2 out, weakened flat, 3rd of 7, 14l behind Good News (11-11) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Strike West (IRE) 22-1 (12-2) In rear, ridden 2 out(normal 3 out), tailed off, 6th of 14, 35 3/4l behind Casimir Du Clos (11-1) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (5) hvy in Nov.
Wind Of Hope (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Held up, ridden and headway 3 out(normal 4 out), kept on pace, 4th of 14, 12l behind Casimir Du Clos (11-1) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (5) hvy in Nov.
Dorothy's Flame 80-1 (10-9) Towards rear, ridden 3 out(normal 4 out), tailed off, 8th of 14, dist behind Casimir Du Clos (11-1) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (5) hvy in Nov.
Espoir Moriviere (FR) 13-8fav (10-5) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner omitted 2 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 14, 5l behind Casimir Du Clos (11-1) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (5) hvy in Nov.
Cudgel 10-1 (10-3) Mid-division, headway 5 out, soon outpaced, headway 2 out, chased leaders last, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind No Trumps (11-12) at Hexham 2m 7f hcp (5) hvy in Nov.
Aniknam (FR) 9-1 (10-7) Close up, ridden 3 out(normal 4 out), weakened next, pulled up last, at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (5) hvy in Nov.
Broadway Belle 5-1 (10-0) Led until after 1st, remained prominent, lost place 7th, beaten 4 out, 5th of 6, dist behind Perfect Moment (11-5) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Dolly's Dot (IRE) 16-1 (10-1) In rear, mistake 4th, weakened before 3 out, 5th of 8, 30l behind Magic Dragon (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (5) gs in Jan.
