led, ridden when joined and passed after usual 2 out, weakened quickly after final fence
in rear, not fluent 3rd, lost touch from 3 out, dropped to rear after last
held up, out to right 1st, slightly hampered 2nd, headway 4 out, going well when closed on front pair when waved around damaged fence (usual 2 out), led approaching final fence, soon in command, ridden out
held up, dropped to rear 5th, ridden 4 out, gradually weakened
midfield, ridden after 3 out, modest headway approaching last, bad mistake last, kept on, never dangerous
prominent, bad mistake when damaged fence and slightly hampered rival 2nd, ridden 3 out, took fourth close home
prominent, chased leaders 4 out, ridden passing usual 2 out, kept on
midfield, ridden 3 out, chased leaders passing usual 2 out, kept on for remote third
prominent, weakened after 7th, soon struggling, very modest headway after last
prominent, clear in second after 6th, still going well when passing usual 2 out, briefly disputed before last, ridden inside final 110 yards, no chance with winner
Stamina could be an issue for Elvis Mail but he would have a chance on his third at Doncaster in January, though he finished behind Doyen Breed here next time. Half Shot is also upped in trip but a race like this looks perfect for HILL SIXTEEN (NAP), who has made the frame in both previous visits to this track and has been dropped a couple of pounds since the second of those in October. Forward Plan has won his last two at Southwell and remains unexposed over the larger obstacles but he is taking a big step up in class today. Clonguile Way will handle trip and going so looks the pick of the remainder.
Cilaos Emery (FR) (10-10) at Auteuil 2m 2f gd in Mar.
Hill Sixteen 12-1 (11-12) In rear, bumped 5th, headway 8th, no impression from 3 out, stayed on from elbow, 7th of 22, 13 1/2l behind Ashtown Lad (11-5) at Aintree 3m 2f hcp (1) gs in Dec.
Elvis Mail (FR) 100-1 (10-11) Behind when jinked right and unseated rider 1st, at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Big River (IRE) 6-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, bad mistake 12th and pushed along in rear, went into close 3rd 3 out, ridden 2 out, not pace to challenge and faded run-in, 3rd of 4, 11 1/2l behind Just Don't Know (10-2) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
Bavington Bob (IRE) 11-1 (11-12) Always struggling, pulled up after 8th, at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (3) hvy in Mar.
Doyen Breed (IRE) 9-2 (10-10) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, switched right and looked like challenging briefly flat, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 3, 4 1/4l behind Minella Drama (12-0) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp (2) gd in Feb.
Mighty Thunder 33-1 (11-4) Front mid-division, pushed along 4 out, plugged on and not pace to challenge, weakened before last, 6th of 13, 30l behind Kitty's Light (11-4) at Newcastle 4m 1f hcp (2) gs in Feb.
Forward Plan (IRE) 9-2 (11-9) Chased leaders, challenged 16th, led before omitted 3 out, edged right and clear when pecked slightly last, comfortably, won at Southwell 3m hcp (4) gd in Mar beating Lord Sparky (11-3) by 8l, 10 ran.
Clonguile Way (IRE) 28-1 (12-0) Towards rear, hampered at 2nd, progress from 18th, 7th and pushed along 4 out, soon ridden, no impression on leaders in 5th before last, kept on one paced, 4th of 20, 8l behind Stealthy Tom (12-0) at Punchestown 3m 1f Yielding in Feb.
Half Shot (IRE) 13-2 (10-6) Chased leader, disputed lead 10th, travelling well 2 out, level approaching last, soon ridden and sustained duel run-in, just denied, 2nd of 7, hd behind Bill Baxter (11-3) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp (3) gs in Mar.
