led until after 1st, chased leader, led approaching 3 out, went left and headed next, lost 2nd between last 2, weakening when went left and mistake last, hung right run-in
led after 1st, clear 4th until before 3 out, soon headed, ridden and weakened quickly before next
prominent in chasing group, pushed along 3 out, soon weakened
held up in mid-division, good headway on outside chasing leaders before 3 out, hung left and one pace next
held up in rear, steady headway on inside 4 out, chased leaders before 2 out, weakened soon after 2 out
raced wide, held up in rear, hit 4 out, no impression when pulled up 2 out
held up in mid-division, good headway chasing leaders before 3 out, led next, 3 lengths ahead last, driven and joined run-in, stayed on
off the pace in 5th, pushed along and weakened before 3 out
chased clear leading pair, pushed along to close before 3 out, weakened next
always behind, never a factor
mid-division, pushed along after 4 out, ridden and weakened before 2 out
held up and behind, headway chasing leaders before 2 out, went 2nd between last 2, 3 lengths down last, challenged and every chance run-in, hung badly left and no extra towards finish
Doitforthevillage won off a 22lb higher mark over fences at Cheltenham last time. He has obvious claims here on that basis, though is 0-5 over hurdles which tempers enthusiasm. Prairie Town has won twice over the smaller obstacles but not since 2015 while the assessor has taken no chances with Friday Night Light on his handicap debut. Percy Street continues to disappoint and seems better on a quicker surface and Ambre Des Marais’ three wins last summer were on faster going. LEX TALIONIS was in good form for Noel Meade in the autumn. He’s having his first run for Charlie Mann but the ground will suit and he doesn’t look badly treated.
Final Choice 33-1 (11-4) Mid-division, reminder after 5th, lost place 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off, 10th of 11, dist behind Deauville Crystal (10-7) at Newbury 2m 3f hcp (2) gs in Mar.
Prairie Town (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) Held up in 5th, closer in 4th 6th, jumped left 9th, blundered and weakened next, 4th of 5, 24l behind Divine Spear (11-8) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Percy Street 5-1 (10-6) Towards rear, headway before 4 out, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 9, 37 1/4l behind Irish Roe (11-0) at Doncaster 2m 1f hcp (2) gd in Dec.
Doitforthevillage (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Pecked 2nd, held up behind, headway 4 out, tracked leaders on outside next, led 2 out, ridden and kept on well flat, won at Cheltenham 2m hcp (2) gs in Nov beating Kapstadt (10-10) by 2l, 9 ran.
Tikken Away (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) In touch, mistake 3 out, soon weakened, last of 8, dist behind De Rasher Counter (11-12) at Fontwell 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Jan.
Ambre Des Marais (FR) 3-1 (11-5) Towards rear, headway before 2 out, soon challenged, every chance last until held near finish, 2nd of 10, nk behind Cabernet D'alene (11-7) at Taunton 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Friday Night Light (FR) 11-8 (11-3) Chased leaders, went 2nd and every chance 2 out, ridden and no extra before last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 9, 13l behind Show On The Road (11-3) at Exeter 2m 1f (4) hvy in Jan.
Lex Talionis (IRE) 11-4fav (10-12) Mid-division, headway after 4 out, ridden in 2nd after 3 out, no impression on winner in 2nd when slight mistake at last, dropped to 3rd inside final furlong, 3rd of 13, 8l behind Balbir Du Mathan (11-12) at Navan 2m hcp Soft - Heavy in Nov.
The Green Ogre 25-1 (11-12) Pressed leader and clear of rest after 3rd, led after 5th, driven and headed before 2 out, no chance with front pair before last, lost place flat, 5th of 13, 12 1/4l behind Camron De Chaillac (11-8) at Taunton 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Dun Scaith (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, 4th and beaten last, no extra flat, lost 4th towards finish, 5th of 10, 15 1/2l behind Pretty Miss Mahler (10-7) at Cartmel 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Jul.
Summer Getaway (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, tracked leaders 6th, ridden and outpaced before 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up last, at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Duhallow Lad (IRE) 33-1 (11-6) Behind, ridden before 2 out, kept on to take 3rd place after last, 3rd of 8, 3 1/2l behind Seaston Spirit (11-6) at Fontwell 2m 3f mdn (5) hvy in Jan.
