soon mid-division on outside, pushed along 3f out, headway under pressure 2f out, weakened inside final furlong
held up in mid-division, switched left off inside over 3f out, ridden in 4th 2f out, weakened final furlong
started slowly, behind, headway between horses and squeezed through over 1f out, went 2nd inside final furlong, stayed on, always just held
held up in last pair, headway on outside 2f out, kept on into 3rd inside final furlong
chased leaders, ridden and went 2nd over 1f out until hung left inside final furlong, weakened
soon tracking winner, lost 2nd over 1f out, kept on same pace in 4th and no impression inside final furlong
chased leaders, pushed along over 3f out, soon weakened quickly, tailed off and eased
mid-division, reminders and lost place 7f out, soon behind
made all, ridden over 1f out, edged left inside final furlong, stayed on
held up towards rear, headway on inside over 2f out, weakened final furlong
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None of this bunch inspire confidence including TASTE THE SALT, a disappointing favourite at Lingfield during the week. But Joseph O’Brien’s charge gets another chance over this longer trip. Mrs Burbidge was runner-up at Wolverhampton when last on the all-weather and has won over hurdles subsequently and Hold Hands was placed over track and trip back in 2016. Howardian Hills was second here in September while the veteran Stand Guard could bounce back at any time given he can boast a record 28 wins on the all-weather.
Howardian Hills (IRE) 14-1 (9-7) Held up in touch, ridden over 2f out, weakened inside final furlong, 9th of 14, 6 1/4l behind Aumerle (9-8) at Kempton 2m hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Stand Guard 25-1 (9-4) Slowly away always in rear, 15th of 16, 7 1/4l behind Sky Marshal (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Hold Hands 33-1 (9-2) Always towards rear, 9th of 13, 8 1/4l behind King Kevin (9-5) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Diamond Reflection (IRE) 66-1 (9-2) Soon led, ridden and headed entering final 2f, weakened final furlong, 12th of 13, 10 1/2l behind Thaqaffa (9-7) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Threediamondrings 25-1 (9-4) Slowly away headway on outer to track leader over 7f out, led over 5f out, ridden 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, soon weakened, 9th of 13, 6l behind Rock Island Line (9-0) at Wolverhampton 1m 1f hcp (6) pol in Nov.
Gee Sixty Six 12-1 (8-12) Keen, close up, ridden and weakened over 1f out, 10th of 13, 9 3/4l behind Thaqaffa (9-7) at Kempton 1m 3f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Keep To The Beat 33-1 (9-7) Raced wide, chased leader after 2nd until approaching 3 out, weakened quickly, no chance when badly hampered by loose horse and unseated rider 2 out, at Lingfield 2m hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Elusive Cowboy (USA) 25-1 (10-5) Held up in touch, ridden 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 9th of 12, 15 1/4l behind Strictly Art (10-11) at Lingfield 2m hcp (6) pol in Dec.
General Brook (IRE) 33-1 (8-9) Led 1f, tracked leaders, ridden 2f out, weakened entering final furlong, 13th of 16, 5 1/4l behind Sky Marshal (8-12) at Lingfield 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Remember Nerja (IRE) 20-1 (8-12) Towards rear, some headway final furlong, never dangerous, 7th of 12, 7 3/4l behind Iley Boy (8-12) at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Munsarim (IRE) 66-1 (9-6) Dwelt, always towards rear, last of 13, 13 1/4l behind Dor's Law (9-4) at Kempton 1m hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Taste The Salt (IRE) 11-8fav (9-7) Raced wide tracked leaders, chased leader 2f out, soon led, ridden and headed approaching final furlong, no extra inside final furlong, 5th of 11, 3 3/4l behind Betsalottie (9-10) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (6) pol in Jan.
Mrs Burbidge 4-1 (11-5) Towards rear, hampered 10th, chased winner from 3 out, no impression and just held on for 2nd close home, 2nd of 7, 8l behind Stoical Patient (10-8) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (5) gs in Oct.
Montycristo 66-1 (11-6) Behind, mistakes 3rd and next, headway into modest 4th 2 out, no chance with leading duo, 4th of 13, 32 1/2l behind Lisp (10-7) at Plumpton 2m (4) sft in Dec.
