tracked leader, led 3rd, ridden and pressed from 3 out, driven out run in, just held on
in touch in rear, not fluent 5th, ridden and weakened 3 out
tracked leading pair, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace
close up, pushed along 4 out, ridden and weakened next
always in rear, pushed along 9th, ridden and weakened next, pulled up 2 out
led, headed 3rd, tracked winner, ridden and every chance from 3 out, pecked slightly on landing at last, driven run in, gaining towards finish, just failed
Goa Lil arrives in good form having won over fences in August and scoring off the same mark over hurdles at Perth last time. But MERCIAN PRINCE went close in a higher grade chase than this at Worcester last month and a similar effort should see Amy Murphy’s charge go one better. Master Work and Fairway Freddy return to action with a shout but Tikkinthebox was still beaten a long way when third at Newton Abbot and Versatility debuts for a new yard.
Mercian Prince (IRE) 7-2 (11-5) Jumped right, led, clear 3rd until 8th, ridden after 4 out, headed towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1/2l behind Leapaway (11-5) at Worcester 2m hcp (2) gd in Sep.
Versatility 4-1 (10-8) Not fluent, in rear on outside, mistake 4th, pushed along after 11th, hit next, behind 12th, pulled up before 3 out, at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (2) gd in May.
Fairway Freddy (IRE) 18-1 (10-10) Held up and behind, hit 2nd, pushed along and weakened before 3 out, tailed off and pulled up before next, at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Apr.
Tikkinthebox (IRE) 17-2 (10-13) Led, ridden and headed after 3 out, no extra in 3rd from next, 3rd of 4, 20 1/2l behind Mick Pastor (11-12) at Newton Abbot 2m hcp (3) gs in Sep.
Master Work (FR) 5-2 (11-8) Chased leaders, niggled along 9th, not fluent and last 11th, weakened well before 4 out, pulled up before last, at Ludlow 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Mar.
Goa Lil (FR) 10-3 (11-12) Awkward start, soon led, clear after 3 out until 2 out, driven out, won at Perth 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Sep beating Dalileo (11-3) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
