made all, soon clear, ridden before 2 out, stayed on well
restrained in rear, unseated rider 4th
tracked leaders, went 2nd from 4th, looking held when blundered 2 out, soon beaten
always towards rear, struggling from 4th
in touch, struggling from 4th, went poor 4th after last, never dangerous
tracked winner until jumped left 4th, pushed along before 3 out, soon weakened
Dontpaytheferryman has the form to win this but he needs a much easier surface to reproduce his best. Kickahead will like the ground, however, and made a successful reappearance at Taunton in November. Ravi River has been struggling in the grade on the Flat and over hurdles, but the four-year-old Philharmonic Hall makes his first appearance in a seller and his win at Hexham in November has been franked. RED SKIPPER appears to have a little find at the weights but his latest second in a handicap at Sedgefield was another sound effort and he probably wouldn't need much more to land this.
Dontpaytheferryman (USA) 17-2 (11-2) Tracked leader, ridden 6th, weakened 3 out, hampered and unseated rider last, in a race won by River Dragon (10-1) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft in Dec, 9 ran.
Kickahead (USA) 10-3 (10-12) Held up in rear and keen, headway before 2 out, led after last, soon ridden, kept on well towards finish, won at Taunton 2m 1f sell hdl (5) gd in Nov beating Dancewiththedevil (11-0) by 2 1/4l, 7 ran.
Red Skipper (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) In touch in 4th and keen, ridden before 2 out, chasd winner before last, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 9, 1 1/4l behind Bob's Dream (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Ravi River (IRE) 11-4 (10-8) Held up mid-division, ridden before 2 out, one pace, 5th of 15, 13l behind Banyan Tree (11-4) at Ludlow 2m nov clm hdl (5) gd in Dec.
Rock Relief (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Mistake and unseated rider 1st, in a race won by Carpincho (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov '10, 12 ran.
Philharmonic Hall 13-8 (11-5) Tracked leader, mistake 3 out, soon under pressure, weakened before next, moderate 2nd, 2nd of 7, 18l behind Royal Opera (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f 3yo hdl (4) gs in Dec.
If Ever (IRE) 150-1 (10-9) In rear, not fluent 3rd, pushed along after 5th, soon reminders and weakened 6th, tailed off and pulled up, in a race won by Nuts N Bolts (11-8) at Ayr 2m 4f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) sft, 4 ran.
