led until 2 out, rallied and every chance last, no extra closing stages
held up in rear, struggling when fell 4 out
behind, not fluent 4th, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, stayed on strongly after last to lead close home
mid-division, headway 4 out, weakened before 2 out
prominent, led 2 out, soon strongly challenged, headed closing stages, kept on
held up in touch, chased leaders halfway, effort 2 out, stayed on same pace after last
in touch, lost place 8th, rallied after 3 out, stayed on after last, never a threat
tracked leader, lost place after 2 out
held up towards rear, headway halfway, mistake 8th, weakened 3 out, tailed off
mid-division, weakened 4 out, tailed off
BRIAN BORANHA has been steadily improving and followed a close second at Wetherby by finishing first past at Catterick though was disqualified when Brian Hughes weighed in 2lb light. To add injury he's gone up 4lb but compensation awaits. Three Of A Kind beat three rivals over hurdles here in March but has been running poorly over fences and though Grey Monk made most for a very convincing course and distance victory in May and started favourite on a return visit the following month he finished last then pulled up at Wetherby. Wicked Willy makes a quick reappearance after his victory in a conditionals event at Huntingdon on Friday and isn't penalised. He's on the upgrade and should have no problems staying the extra. Dalliance, a winner over the trip at Fakenham in October, couldn't get close on a return visit last month but the race has worked out well while the once very useful Mwaleshi hails from a yard in outstanding form and may not be finished yet.
Grey Monk (IRE) 33-1 (11-2) Prominent, weakened before 4 out, pulled up after, at Wetherby 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Mr Utah 12-1 (11-7) Keen held up, dropped to rear 4 out, pulled up 2 out, at Kelso 3m 3f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Wicked Willy (IRE) 7-2fav (11-10) Held up in rear, headway going well 3 out, challenged next, soon led, went left and dived at last, driven out flat, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Jan beating Vinnie Lewis (11-11) by 1 1/4l, 10 ran.
Three Of A Kind (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Tracked leader and mistakes, blundered 5 out, every chance 2 out, lost 2nd and no extra after last, 4th of 7, 10 3/4l behind Ultimatum Du Roy (11-6) at Ludlow 3m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Mwaleshi 7-1 (11-3) Led, ridden 2out, headed last, kept on one pace, 3rd of 10, 5 1/2l behind Kauto Riko (10-5) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Brian Boranha (IRE) 11-4fav (11-12) Held up in touch, headway before 5 out, led before last, held on towards finish, disqualified, won at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (4) gs in Dec beating Snapping Turtle (11-1) by 1/2l, 12 ran.
Daliance (IRE) 7-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, ridden after 4 out, 2nd next until 2 out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 7, 11 1/2l behind Soupy Soups (12-4) at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Fresh By Nature (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, pushed along 4 out, never dangerous, 6th of 7, dist behind Happy Diva (12-4) at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Sue Oscar (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Held up, towards rear, in rear and struggling from 6 out, tailed off, last of 7, dist behind Dream Flyer (11-2) at Musselburgh 3m hcp (4) gd in Jan.
Cruising Bye 20-1 (10-0) Led, headed when mistake 8th, lost place before 4 out, tailed off 3 out, pulled up after, at Aintree 3m 1f hcp (4) gs in Jun.
