always behind, mistake 6th, under pressure next, pulled up 3 out
led after 1st, hit 8th, headed approaching last, weakened
held up towards rear, mistake 7th, headway 3 out, led approaching last, strongly challenged from last, headed and no extra close home
held up in rear, mistake 7th, headway 4 out, chased leaders after next, weakened before last
mid-division, headway 4 out, chased leaders after next, every chance last and throughout run, kept on under pressure to lead closing stages (2 hurdles omitted)
tracked leaders, lost place 8th, no danger after, behind when pulled up before 2 out
led until after 1st, mistake next, remained prominent, hit 5th, weakened after omitted 2 out
behind, slow 1st, headway after omitted 2 out, never able to challenge
chased leaders, every chance approaching omitted 2 out, weakened before last
mid-division, weakened after 3 out
mid-division, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, no extra approaching last
NonRunner
Pershing Missile has never been this far and weakened quickly over 2m4f on his comeback. Nemean Lion has no problems with the trip having won over 3m3f at Sedgefield but all of his victories have been on good ground. Misfits won over fences here in October bus isn't as good over hurdles and is on a higher mark than that victory. Along Came Theo had some strong form without winning over shorter last winter and should be better for last month's return to action, a remark that also applies to Kalaharry, a comfortable winner over the track and trip in June of last year. The latter looks a threat but another course and distance winner, Lawtop Legend, may find the ground against him. The ex-Irish-trained COTTONVALE has travelled a long way for this and connections can reap the reward as he was staying on nicely over 2m4f at Wincanton and will be suited by the conditions.
Pershing Missile (IRE) 6-1 (10-12) Chased leaders on inside, lost place before 7th, well beaten 3 out, 10th of 12, dist behind Asylo (11-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Nemean Lion (IRE) 10-1 (11-8) Led, headed 2 out, no extra flat, 4th of 13, 9 1/2l behind Miss Spent (11-7) at Southwell 3m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Misfits (IRE) 4-1jfav (11-0) In touch, not fluent and dropped towards rear 2nd, headway 10th, driven and outpaced after 4 out, ridden after 2 out, modest 4th from last, 4th of 8, 20l behind Kings Eclipse (10-9) at Carlisle 3m hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Along Came Theo (IRE) 16-1 (10-11) In rear and in touch, left 3rd after 3rd, mistake 5th, outpaced from 4 out, chased winner before last, kept on and always well held, 2nd of 4, 19l behind Almost Gold (11-2) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Kalaharry (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Mid-division, headway before 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, 7th of 15, 19 1/4l behind Cold Shoulder (11-8) at Ayr 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Overtheedge (IRE) 40-1 (10-9) Close up, ridden and weakened 4 out, last of 10, dist behind Always Resolute (10-13) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Onwiththeparty 10-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, never on terms, 5th of 8, 23l behind Moorlands Mist (11-5) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Cottonvale (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, ridden 3 out, headway before 2 out, went 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 15l behind Definite Winner (10-7) at Wincanton 2m 4f hcp (5) gf in Nov.
Lawtop Legend (IRE) 7-2 (10-1) Led to before 3rd with leader, driven and lost place after 3 out, weakened after next, 4th of 9, 22 1/4l behind One Night In Milan (11-12) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Turtle Cask (IRE) 22-1 (10-4) Held up in touch on outside, pushed along after 7th, behind from next, tailed off 4 out, 8th of 9, dist behind Ballymagroarty Boy (11-12) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Espoir Moriviere (FR) 20-1 (10-8) Mid-division, headway to chase leaders 7th, beaten 3 out, 7th of 16, 10 1/2l behind Lawtop Legend (10-13) at Hexham 2m 7f hcp (5) gd in Nov.
It's All About Me (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) Behind, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, effort after 2 out, no extra closing stages, 6th of 16, 6l behind Lawtop Legend (10-13) at Hexham 2m 7f hcp (5) gd in Nov.
