midfield, towards rear before 13th, ridden before 4 out, blundered 3 out, pulled up approaching last
prominent, mistake 4 out, ridden and outpaced 3 out, challenged for 3rd last, kept on same pace run-in
jumped slightly right, in rear, pushed along over 3 out, kept on same pace approaching last
mid-division, pushed along before 4 out, weakened and pulled up approaching last
prominent, mistake when pressing leader 3 out, soon ridden and briefly led to 2 out, weakened approaching last
in rear, not fluent 17th, in touch with leaders 19th, mistake 20th, ridden to challenge for lead 2 out where not fluent, lost 2nd and blundered last, weakened run-in
in rear, headway in to midfield before 4 out, soon ridden, fell 2 out
prominent, not fluent 16th, ridden before 3 out, stayed on same pace approaching last
led, headed 19th, ridden before 4 out, weakened 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
chased leader, led 19th, headed 4 out, soon ridden, pulled up before 2 out
travelled strongly, midfield, ridden and headway to lead 2 out, went 3 lengths clear last, stayed on well run-in
in touch with leaders, towards rear before 6th, not fluent 16th, pushed along before 18th, soon behind and pulled up before 20th
in touch with leaders, jumped right 5th, mistake 12th, pressed leaders 19th, led 4 out, not fluent 3 out, headed before 2 out in to 3rd, soon ridden, stayed on for 2nd approaching last, kept on same pace run-in
Placed twice last month, Cyclop is a former winner of the Highlands National at Perth and a thorough stayer. Big River and Breaking The Ice are both chasing a fourth course victory with the former landing this 12 months ago, though runner-up CASH TO ASH (NAP) is weighted to reverse placings. Mark Walford’s gelding ran right up to his best on his reappearance at Wetherby and can go one better than 12 months ago. The Ferry Master is proving hard to place but Wake Up Early was only beaten half-a-length at Musselburgh last month and All About Joe won over 3m5f at Sedgefield in October. Buddha Scheme may be best of the rest.
Big River (IRE) 14-1 (10-13) Towards rear, pushed along and no progress after 2 out, 7th of 10, 27 3/4l behind Sounds Russian (11-6) at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (2) gs in Oct.
Cyclop (IRE) 22-1 (11-9) Jumped right on occasions, held up off the pace towards rear, ridden approaching 3 out (usual 4 out), went third before final fence (usual 2 out), kept on towards finish but no match for first two, 3rd of 11, 16 1/4l behind Slipway (11-10) at Fontwell 3m 4f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
All About Joe (IRE) 7-1 (11-5) In rear, headway 3 out, went 3rd home turn, pressed leader 2 out, soon led, driven out run-in and stayed on well, won at Sedgefield 3m 5f hcp (2) gd in Oct beating Raddle And Hum (10-7) by 3l, 8 ran.
The Ferry Master (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Held up and always behind, 5th of 6, 14 3/4l behind Elvis Mail (12-2) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Cash To Ash (IRE) 12-1 (12-0) Led, headed when not fluent 3rd, chased leader, mistake 15th, led before 4 out, stayed on, headed towards finish, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Tango Boy (11-6) at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Fiveaftermidnight (IRE) 16-1 (10-3) Rear of mid-division, headway on outer 4 out, 3rd entering straight, ridden after 2 out and no impression from before last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 12, 6l behind Lilith (10-4) at Punchestown 2m 5f hcp Good - Yielding in Apr.
Niceandeasy (IRE) 12-1 (10-11) In rear, hit 3 out and pushed along, plugged on from 2 out, never nearer, 5th of 9, 5 1/4l behind Houston Texas (10-9) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Wake Up Early (IRE) 15-8fav (11-0) Held up in 4th out wide, closer in 3rd at 16th, challenged from 4 out, 2nd travelling well 2 out, upsides last, driven and strong challenge run-in, no extra final 100 yards, 2nd of 4, 1/2l behind Flying Verse (10-6) at Musselburgh 3m 7f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Donna's Delight (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Led, reached for 10th, joined 4 out, headed approaching and hit next, soon lost 2nd, weakened 2 out, 5th of 6, 12 1/4l behind Green Vault (11-1) at Ayr 3m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Breaking The Ice (IRE) 4-1jfav (11-5) Led, headed and pushed along 4 out, quickly weakened before 3 out, tailed off, last of 8, 17 1/4l behind Sirwilliamwallace (11-9) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Flower Of Scotland (FR) 15-2 (10-5) Mid-division, pushed along after 3 out, went 4th 2 out, switched right and stayed on run-in, not trouble winner, 3rd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Houston Texas (10-9) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Buddha Scheme (IRE) 14-1 (10-10) Raced on inside, tracked leader until jumped slowly 6th, chased leaders, went 2nd again 9th until 13th, chased leaders, pushed along before 3 out, soon outpaced and struggling, rallied into 3rd last, kept on, 3rd of 6, 6 1/2l behind Green Vault (11-1) at Ayr 3m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Clonguile Way (IRE) 22-1 (10-2) Good headway out wide chasing leaders before 4th, led 6th until 15th, remained handy, pushed along before 3 out, weakened home turn, 5th of 10, 26 3/4l behind Anightinlambourn (11-1) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
