chased leaders on outside until mistake 9th, rallied on outside into modest 4th 3 out, went 3rd run-in
raced keenly, held up, not fluent 3rd, headway on outside 11th, chased leaders 13th, weakened before 3 out
led until before 10th, chased leader, pushed along and every chance 3 out, ridden and lost 2nd 2 out, stayed on same pace in 3rd, no extra in 3rd close home
went left 1st, chased leaders, tracked leader after 2nd, led before 10th, ridden and headed before last where mistake, readily outpaced and no chance with winner run-in
mistake 5th, always behind, never a factor, tailed off and pulled up 3 out
tracked leader until after 2nd, handy 3rd, weakened before 3 out
behind early, closer in mid-division before 6th, chased leaders 9th, weakening when hampered on inside before 3 out
held up in last pair, headway 11th, chasing leaders when squeezed through between horses before 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, led before the last, quickened readily clear run-in, easily
ON THE BLIND SIDE hasn’t won since successful over course and distance just under a year ago but this looks a good opportunity to put that right. He was far from disgraced behind the in-form Riders Onthe Storm in a graduation chase at Ascot last month and this quicker surface will suit. Touch Kick ran in the Grand Sefton over the National fences at Aintree after making a winning reappearance at Fakenham. This trip on a sharp track is ideal and he should be thereabouts while Walt returns to the scene of his victory in a Grade 3 last season and has already won this term at Taunton. King Of Realms, likely to be fitter for his comeback run, and Minellacelebration looks the pick of the remainder.
On The Blind Side (IRE) 15-8fav (11-0) Raced on inside, led until after 8th, chased winner, pushed along before 10th, ridden and well held before 2 out, 2nd of 5, 7l behind Riders Onthe Storm (11-7) at Ascot 2m 5f (2) hvy in Dec.
Mellow Ben (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) In rear, mistake 9th, never involved, 7th of 11, 32l behind Burbank (10-12) at Newbury 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
King Of Realms (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Led, headed 13th, weakened 3 out, 11th of 13, 37 3/4l behind Militarian (11-10) at Ascot 3m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Touch Kick (IRE) 6-1 (10-13) Held up on outside, closed 10th (becher\'s), mistake next (foinavon), lost place before mistake 13th (valentines), no impression after, 6th of 14, 34l behind Hogan's Height (10-8) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Walt (IRE) 40-1 (10-5) Mid-division on outside, headway chasing leaders 9th, weakened 2 out, 9th of 24, 22l behind De Rasher Counter (11-1) at Newbury 3m 2f hcp (1) gs in Nov.
Minellacelebration (IRE) 25-1 (10-6) In touch in mid-division, mistake 11th, weakened before 2 out, 10th of 18, dist behind Walk In The Mill (10-8) at Aintree 3m 2f hcp (1) sft in Dec.
War Sound 25-1 (11-3) Towards rear, steady headway 9th, outpaced 3 out, plugged on again run-in, almost snatched 4th, 5th of 12, 14 3/4l behind Espoir De Guye (10-11) at Ascot 2m 3f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Fingerontheswitch (IRE) 20-1 (11-8) Held up in rear, headway 5 out, chased leaders next, stayed on into 2nd, no chance with winner, 2nd of 15, 4l behind Copperhead (11-12) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Dec.
