keen, held up in 6th, not fluent 9th, struggling when mistake 12th, soon weakened, behind and pulled up before 3 out
mostly chased leader until 11th, close 3rd, 2nd again before 3 out, led 3 out, clear next, stayed on strongly
not that fluent, mistake 1st, held up in 5th place, awkward 11th, modest 4th before 2 out, never involved
raced keenly, tracked leaders, led 3rd until 12th, chased leader until ridden before 3 out, soon driven and beaten, poor 5th when fell heavily 2 out
held up well in rear, modest 3rd after 2 out
keen, led until 3rd tracked leading pair, 2nd 11th until led narrowly next, headed 3 out, chased winner, stayed on same pace from next
chased leaders on outside, went left 8th, outpaced soon after 4 out, went modest 4th approaching 2 out
NonRunner
The attitude of BISHOPS COURT has occasionally been called into question but he has won five of his 10 chase starts and did nothing wrong at Wincanton on Boxing Day. He needs to arrive late but has the perfect man on board in Noel Fehily and a 10lb rise may not be as crucial as a possible lack of pace. Breath Of Blighty finished ahead of the selection over track and trip in November and is 3lb better off so has to be a threat. Doncaster winner The Tailgater would probably have preferred better ground but can’t be ignored with Jonjo O’Neill Junior taking off 7lb again but Exitas was engaged at Huntingdon yesterday and looks in the handicapper’s grip.
Bishops Court 2-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, led approaching 2 out, idled closing stages, stayed on well, won at Wincanton 2m hcp (3) hvy in Dec beating Coeur Tantre (11-8) by 8l, 4 ran.
Mercian Prince (IRE) 6-1 (11-3) Prominent, not fluent 10th (becher's brook), blundered baldy and weakened 2 out, tailed off, 8th of 11, dist behind Gas Line Boy (11-10) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
The Tailgater (IRE) 8-1 (12-1) Held up in touch, tracked leaders 4 out, challenged on outside 2 out, led last, ridden out flat, held on near finish, won at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Dec beating Masterplan (11-8) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
Breath Of Blighty (FR) 9-1 (10-7) In touch, chased leaders 5 out, every chance 2 out, stayed on well towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Play The Ace (11-7) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Minella Tweet (IRE) 40-1 (10-8) Took keen hold, held up last, never a factor, tailed off, 7th of 8, dist behind Golan Fortune (11-8) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Rothman (FR) 16-1 (10-0) Close up, ridden after 3 out, weakened 2out, 8th of 14, 29 1/2l behind Golan Fortune (10-9) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Turban (FR) 9-2 (10-12) Led 2nd, ridden headed and weakened before 4 out, blundered last, 5th of 6, 29 1/2l behind Un Prophete (11-11) at Exeter 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Exitas (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) Went to post early, tracked leading pair, went 2nd 9th, ridden and no impression before 2 out, mistake last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 10l behind Divine Spear (11-8) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
