jumped left at times, led 1st, headed 2 out, no impression flat, stayed on same pace
led until 1st, prominent, blundered 2nd, dropped last 9th, closed next, led 2 out, stayed on well, drew clear flat
chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, went 2nd 8th until after 11th, stayed on same pace from 2 out, no impression on winner
held up in touch, closed 10th, outpaced when jumped left 2 out, soon weakened
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Killala Quay should find this easier than the Grade 2 he contested at Doncaster last month. An earlier second to Puffin Billy at Ascot gives him every chance here, despite top weight. Gores Island arrives in good form but is upped in grade under a penalty while Neville isn't really progressing. Ludlow second Rio Milan is 9lb out of the handicap and would need a career-best to figure. SEVENTH SKY is a bit more exposed than some of these but his last two runs suggest he's on a decent mark at present and he might be the one to beat getting 11lb from Killala Quay.
Killala Quay 9-4 (11-1) Held up in rear and in touch, left 3rd from last, ridden 4f out, weakened over 3f out, 3rd of 4, 46l behind Virak (11-8) at Doncaster 3m nov chs Grade 2 (1) sft in Dec.
Seventh Sky (GER) 6-1 (10-10) Led until before 3 out, dropped to 3rd when left in 2nd 3 out, led before last, hung right under pressure run-in, headed and no extra final 100 yards, 2nd of 4, 1/2l behind Far West (11-8) at Newbury 2m 1f nov hcp chs (3) gs in Dec.
Gores Island (IRE) 3-1fav (11-12) Chased leaders, went right and not fluent 4th, led after 4 out until approaching next, led again 2 out, hard ridden run-in, strongly pressed in closing stages, all out, won at Lingfield 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) hvy beating Marie Des Anges (10-8) by nk, 9 ran.
Neville 2-1 (10-7) Held up in 4th, headway to track winner 6th, ridden before 2 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 6, 32l behind Kilgeel Hill (10-7) at Leicester 2m 4f 4yo nov stks (4) sft in Dec.
Rio Milan (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, challenged 5 out, kept on same pace from 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 11l behind It's A Steal (11-4) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Dec.
Lily Little Legs (IRE) 12-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, lost place and reminders after 7th, dropped to 5th when blundered badly 8th, tailed off next, soon pulled up, in a race won by Pure Science (11-3) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) hvy in Nov, 8 ran.
