raced wide throughout, held up in rear, plugged on run-in
chased leaders, ridden in 3rd before 3 out, soon one pace and no impression before next, plugged on run-in
chased leaders, reminder after 4th, mistake 7th, outpaced bypassing omitted 4 out, weakened and no chance after
always front rank, pushed along before 2 out, driven before last, hit last, stayed on under pressure to lead run-in, won going away
chased leader, led 3rd until after next, led again 6th, hit 3 out, headed and no extra run-in
ran in snatches, led until 3rd, led again after after 4th until headed and weakened 6th, soon behind, tailed off
chased leaders, pushed along and one pace in 4th 3 out, no extra before last
held up in last pair, headway after 7th, chased leaders next, outpaced approaching 3 out, one pace in 3rd next
Nonrunner
Having won over further at Fontwell and then finished second over this track and trip, Sweet Boy Vic will probably start favourite today and warrants respect. Extreme Impact was soon left behind by Milansbar at Uttoxeter last month but that run followed on quickly from his win at Southwell and he might do better here. Dawson City won at Taunton last month but the runner-up has done nothing for the form since while Absolutely Bygones and Promised Wings ran poorly last time. De Blacksmith has been disappointing over fences and may be having a confidence-booster today. ZEPHYR tries a new trip but it could be the making of him judged on the way he stayed on over 2m4f at Taunton last time. We'll take a chance on the four-year-old at the likely odds.
Manballandall (IRE) 11-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, headway into modest 3rd 4 out, never near leaders, plugged on same pace from next, weakened before last, tailed off, 3rd of 7, well behind Milansbar (11-11) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) hvy in Dec.
De Blacksmith (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Lost prominent position 2nd, behind from 6th, pulled up before 10th, in a race won by Rhapando (11-0) at Leicester 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-120 (4) gs in Dec, 10 ran.
Extreme Impact 6-1 (10-13) Chased winner to 3rd, driven and travelled reluctantly in touch after, reminders from 6th, behind 8th, moderate 4th after 4 out, plugged on to take remote 2nd at last, no chance with easy winner, 2nd of 7, 29l behind Milansbar (11-11) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) hvy in Dec.
Dawson City 16-1 (11-12) Mid-division on outside, lost place 7th, ridden and headway 3 out, challenged next, stayed on to lead flat, all out, won at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Dec beating Johns Luck (11-8) by 1 3/4l, 9 ran.
Absolutely Bygones (IRE) 16-1 (11-1) Chased winner, hit 7th, blundered 8th, pushed along and lost 2nd 4 out, weakened quickly soon after 3 out, tailed off, 10th of 12, well behind Flintham (11-4) at Ascot 3m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs in Dec.
Promised Wings (GER) 5-1 (11-9) Prominent, lost place 3rd, virtually refused next, soon pulled up, in a race won by Leith Hill Legasi (10-7) at Lingfield 3m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Dec, 7 ran.
Zephyr 20-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, pushed along approaching 2 out, ridden before last, no extra flat, 4th of 14, 5l behind After Eight Sivola (11-3) at Taunton 2m 3f con hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.
Sweet Boy Vic (IRE) 6-4fav (11-6) Tracked leader, every chance approaching 2 out, kept on well under pressure, 2nd of 4, 3/4l behind Banks Road (11-0) at Plumpton 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy in Dec.
Sandynow (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders on inside, led 5th, headed narrowly 9th, ridden and lost place 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before last, in a race won by Iconic Rose (11-5) at Southwell 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in Dec '13, 12 ran.
