not fluent 1st and 9th, held up, headway and in touch 4 out, ridden and one pace approaching last
behind, struggling 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
prominent, effort and every chance 4 out, kept on until ridden, no extra approaching last
held up in touch, shaken up to lead last, ridden out readily
prominent, led 4 out, headed 2 out, no extra approaching last
jumped right, led 4 out, ridden to lead again 2 out, headed last, no extra flat
mid-division, headway and in touch 4 out, ridden 2 out, stayed on to go 2nd flat, no impression
behind, reminders 6th, never dangerous
blundered 1st, in touch, blundered 7th, weakened 4 out
in touch, not fluent 1st, mistake and lost place 11th, no danger after
in touch, blundered and lost place 10th, no danger after
held up, mistake 10th, never dangerous
In a wide open race to finish the card JUST FOR MEN just gets the vote with First Look and Akilak also with big chances. The Martin Todhunter trained selection has the advantage of receiving weight all round but further to that has been running really well in the last few weeks. In his last effort, where he was second, he perhaps should have scored but blundered late on which cost him. The form from the race stands up with the fifth scoring next time and despite now off a career high mark he should have enough here. First Look was a last time out winner but it was in a race from which the form has taken a few knocks. He's never won off a mark as high as this and will have his work cut out to better that last effort which was a career best. Akilak was a place better than First Look in his last run so likewise the form is shaky. There was no improvement from his seasonal debut that day, which is a worry, but he is rated 10lbs higher over timber so there could be more. You couldn't rule out Kilcrea Asla completely while Montgermont has each-way claims but the vote to win it is with Just For Men.
Montgermont (FR) 16-1 (11-2) Hit 1st and 2nd, held up, headway 12th, ridden after 4 out, hit 2 out, stayed on, went 3rd flat, 3rd of 13, 12l behind Classic Fiddle (10-12) at Newbury 2m 4f hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Nov.
Oscar Honey (IRE) 11-8fav (10-9) Led until after 1st, chased clear winner, challenged when hit 2 out, edged left and not quicken from last, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Whisky Magic (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
First Look (FR) 2-1fav (10-13) Close up on inside, went 2nd 10th, every chance when hit 3 out, led next, stayed on well flat, won at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Nov beating Tell Henry (11-3) by 4l, 7 ran.
Akilak (IRE) 10-3fav (11-8) Held up, headway 5 out, effort approaching last, no extra close home, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Malko De Beaumont (10-6) at Carlisle 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Nov.
Edmo Yewkay (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Tracked leader, ridden 4 out, driven and one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 8, 9l behind Polar Gunner (9-11) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft.
Nirvana Swing (FR) 16-1 (10-11) With leader, hit 11th, weakened 4 out, 12th of 16, well behind Possol (11-4) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) gs in Nov.
Kilcrea Asla (IRE) 9-2 (11-7) Held up, steady headway approaching 4 out, went 2nd 3 out, no chance with winner when went left last, 2nd of 9, 13l behind Buck The Legend (11-11) at Newbury 2m 2f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Montevideo 25-1 (11-4) Always behind, struggling halfway, 9th of 13, well behind Ice Tea (11-11) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
Tous Chez (IRE) 17-2 (11-3) Mid-division, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out, 8th of 11, 33l behind Malko De Beaumont (10-6) at Carlisle 2m 5f hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Nov.
Le Roi Rouge (FR) 16-1 (10-5) Towards rear and not fluent, weakened 5th, 8th of 14, 34l behind Medicinal (11-5) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Nov.
Open de L'Isle (FR) 18-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway 2 out, one pace, 5th of 18, 14l behind Issaquah (9-7) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Just For Men (IRE) 7-2 (10-9) Mid-division, smooth headway 3 out, challenged last, held close home, 2nd of 9, shd behind Zitenka (11-7) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft.
