headway out wide into 4th over 10f out, pushed along 3f out, ridden inside final 2f, soon not quicken, weakened into 5th final furlong
steadied start, off the pace in last pair, pushed along over 2f out, went modest 4th inside final furlong, never involved
steadied rear, some late moderate headway, never a factor
steadied start, raced keenly in 3rd on inside, went 2nd over 2f out, led inside final 2f, ridden and quickened clear over 1f out, stayed on strongly
tracked leader until pushed along over 2f out, weakened soon after
held up in last trio, smooth headway out wide over 2f out, went 2nd over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, never going pace to challenge
led, pushed along over2f out, ridden and headed inside final 2f, lost 2nd over 1f out, plugged on in 3rd
held up in 5th on inside, ridden inside final 2f, no headway
Mercian Hymn won a lower grade contest at Wolverhampton and has been raised 7lb. Ivynator scored at the same track in October and has been hurdling since while LIBERATED LAD has also had a spin over hurdles since scoring over course and distance. Ian Williams’ charge won with a bit to spare on that occasion and can defy a 4lb rise. Torbellino has a shout on a recent second here while Mutarabby will appreciate the drop back down in distance.
The First King (IRE) 9-2 (9-12) Led, headed over 8f out, tracked leader, pushed along 3f out, ridden and kept on same pace, 5th of 13, 3 1/2l behind Marion's Boy (9-8) at Lingfield 1m 2f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Mutarabby (IRE) 18-1 (9-13) Towards rear, ridden 2f out, not clear run on rail in close 4th over 1f out, ran on one pace, 4th of 7, 2 1/4l behind First Charge (9-12) at Kempton 2m hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Ivynator (IRE) 3-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, made headway before 2 out, ridden and outpaced before last, kept on, 4th of 10, 23 3/4l behind Sonning (10-12) at Catterick 2m (4) gd in Nov.
Mercian Hymn 9-2 (9-2) Soon mid-division, closed 9f out, led entering final furlong, drew clear, comfortably, won at Wolverhampton 1m 4f hcp (6) pol in Nov beating Can Can Girl (9-5) by 2 1/4l, 12 ran.
Liberated Lad 9-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden and hit 2 out, weakened next, 5th of 9, 23 3/4l behind Tease And Seize (11-5) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (4) gs in Dec.
Torbellino 15-2 (9-4) Held up in mid-division, headway going well over2f out, challenge inside final furlong, stayed on, just held, 2nd of 11, shd behind Meadow Sprite (8-8) at Kempton 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Dec.
Mardoof (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Mid-division, some headway when hung left over 2f out, plugged on, 5th of 12, 17 1/2l behind Nagano (9-7) at Newcastle 1m 2f stks (5) pol in May.
Mindspin 33-1 (9-5) Towards rear, pushed 3f out, ridden 2f out, unable to get competitive, 5th of 7, 13 3/4l behind Bringsty (9-5) at Haydock 7f stks (4) sft in May.
