mid-division, headway 3rd, disputing 2 out 3 out until next, stayed on same pace approaching last
with leader until 2nd, stayed prominent until 3 out, weakened before next
led, ridden after 3 out, not fluent and headed narrowly last, edged right and every chance flat, held towards finish
mid-division, jumped slowly and lost place 3rd, well behind before 3 out
held up towards rear on outside, headway 2 out, never on terms, stayed on same pace
held up in rear, pushed along 5th, headway 3 out, soon ridden, no impression next
held up in rear, headway 5th, went 2nd from 3 out, hung right after 2 out, led last, ridden out
tracked leaders, outpaced after 5th, no impression after, not fluent 3 out, one pace
Nonrunner
NORSE LIGHT has finished a respectable second the last twice, on both occasions under today's conditional pilot, in heavy ground handicaps. Arguably at the age of five, he has scope for greater improvement than most of his rivals in what is nevertheless a tight handicap. He's had the remainder comfortably accounted for in those recent contests and looks sufficiently well treated to go one better now. Sean Ban was behind three pretty useful sorts at Haydock last time and should post a solid account despite topweight on this first venture into handicap company. Catchin Time merits shortlist inclusion too as he arrives in fair form and will not be inconvenienced by what are sure to be testing conditions.
Sean Ban (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, jumped right 2nd, not fluent next, headway when mistake 3 out, never able to challenge, 4th of 10, 22 1/4l behind Bigmartre (11-5) at Haydock 2m (4) hvy in Dec.
Malanos (IRE) 6-1 (10-7) Led, headed before 4 out, weakened from 2 out, 5th of 9, dist behind Prouts Pub (11-7) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Akula (IRE) 11-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, weakened 4 out, 7th of 13, 25 1/4l behind Spice Fair (11-6) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Dainty Diva (IRE) 7-1 (11-10) Raced wide, chased leaders, 2nd after 3 out until pushed along before before next, lost modest 3rd before the last, weakened run-in, 5th of 8, 21 3/4l behind Superciliary (11-10) at Fontwell 2m 2f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Catchin Time (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, headway after 3 out, 3rd nut no impression next, weakened into 4th last, 4th of 10, 18 1/2l behind Eminent Poet (11-11) at Towcester 2m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Aza Run (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, closed 4th, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, mistake 2 out, last of 5, dist behind Hazzaat (10-12) at Worcester 2m 4f (5) gd in Jul.
Norse Light 7-1 (11-11) Towards rear, headway 3 out, chased front pair between last 2, ridden and stayed on into 2nd flat, no impression with winner, 2nd of 15, 11l behind Winged Express (11-1) at Taunton 2m hcp (5) hvy in Dec.
Powderonthebonnet (IRE) 33-1 (11-1) Held up, pushed along after 6th, struggling 7th, 9th of 12, dist behind Ballinalacken (11-5) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Bladoun (FR) 16-1 (11-1) Led, not fluent 1st, headed next, chased leader, went left 4th, lost 2nd approaching 3 out, weakened soon after 3 out, 4th of 7, 33 1/4l behind Never Says Never (10-7) at Lingfield 2m hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Pret A Thou (FR) 8-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, went 2nd after 2 out, no impression on winner flat, 2nd of 11, 8l behind Catchin Time (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (5) hvy in Dec.
