in touch, pushed along and outpaced 3 out (normal 4 out), left poor 4th last
shade keen early, made all, hit 11th, 4 lengths ahead travelling strongly 2 out (normal 3 out ), unchallenged
ran in snatches, behind, reminder after 5th (water), headway on outside chasing leaders before 11th, weakened next, mistake 2 out (normal 3 out) left poor 3rd last
tracked leading pair, went 2nd at 7th until pushed along 3 out, 3rd and well beaten when fell last
shade keen early, tracked winner until hit 7th, chased leaders, lost place and behind 10th, tailed off
in touch, closer tracking leaders 8th, ridden and went 2nd 3 out (normal 4 out), kept on same pace, no chance with winner
NonRunner
WILLOUGHBY COURT (NAP), who goes well fresh, won on this card 12 months ago. He’s not raced since losing his unbeaten record over fences at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day but is potentially a high-class chaser masquerading as a handicapper. Ballybolley and Three Musketeers are well treated if finding some form but Hereford scorer Touch Kick seems better going right-handed and Beggar's Wishes will have to defy a further 10lb rise if he is to complete the four-timer. King's Odyssey is consistent but hasn’t won since his novice days, though still makes more appeal than the returning Aso.
Beggar's Wishes (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, switched outside to lead 10th, quickened and went clear soon after, made rest, ridden between last 2, 2 lengths advantage last, kept on, won at Newton Abbot 2m 5f (2) hvy in Oct beating Dolos (11-4) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Aso (FR) 16-1 (11-0) Behind, ridden after 5 out, soon outpaced, kept on under pressure from last, never pace to challenge, 5th of 12, 19 1/4l behind Smad Place (11-3) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (1) gs in Oct.
Three Musketeers (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) Tracked leaders on outside, ridden to chase leader after last (usual 3 out), outpaced when not much room bypassing omitted 2 out, weakened after omitted last, 7th of 11, 15 3/4l behind Paisley Park (11-12) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
King's Odyssey (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Mid-division, headway 4th, led when hit 12th, headed when mistake last, no impression on winner flat, 2nd of 11, 6l behind War Sound (10-13) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp (2) gd in Nov.
Ballybolley (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Held up, headway 3 out, weakened next, tailed off, 5th of 7, 29 3/4l behind Royal Village (10-4) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (2) gd in Oct.
Touch Kick (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, challenged 4 out, ridden after 2 out, stayed on well, led towards finish, won at Hereford 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Nov beating Conna Cross (11-0) by 1 1/4l, 11 ran.
Willoughby Court (IRE) 15-8jfav (11-5) Tracked leaders, mistake 4 out, 2nd 3 out until before 2 out, kept on same pace last, no extra flat, 3rd of 5, 8 1/4l behind Yanworth (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f (1) hvy in Jan.
