towards rear, jumped left slightly left and often slow, last 2nd, behind 9th, pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd 6th, jumped right 4 out, lost 2nd next, weakened from 2 out
held up towards rear on outside, awkward 1st, very big 2nd, some headway 9th, struggling after 4 out, weakened before next
held up, struggling 9th, modest 6th when jumped right 3 out, stayed on after 2 out, went 3rd close home, no impression on front pair
led until after 2nd, prominent, ridden before 3 out, 3rd and one pace before next, lost 2 places towards finish
with leader, led after 2nd, prominent, ridden when mistake 2 out, headed before last, no impression on winner flat, stayed on
chased leaders, not much room 1st, shaken up before 3 out, stayed on same pace from next, no impression on front pair
held up in rear, headway before 4 out, went 2nd approaching 3 out, challenged 2 out, led before last, stayed on well
chased leaders, lost place 3rd, ridden 7th, well beaten 4 out
Arthur's Oak was impressive on his reappearance at Haydock but has been raised a massive 15lb and was beaten fair and square by PEARLS LEGEND over course and distance last season on identical terms. John Spearing's gelding is a model of consistency and wasn't winning out of turn last time at Cheltenham, though will have to reverse earlier running at that track with Keel Haul and also has a bit to find on Newbury form with top weight Grey Gold. Micky Hammond has sent Just Cameron down from Middleham and his second to Un De Sceaux at Punchestown last April was a cracking effort. He might just need this but is still preferred to Taunton second Barrakilla.
Grey Gold (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, led 4 out, ridden and headed last, rallied gamely to lead again final 75 yards, won at Newbury 2m hcp (2) sft in Nov beating Whispering Harry (10-2) by 1l, 11 ran.
Just Cameron 16-1 (11-10) Tracked leader in 2nd, not fluent at 7th, ridden in 2nd 3 out, kept on same pace without reaching winner from before last, 2nd of 5, 3l behind Un De Sceaux (11-10) at Punchestown 2m (1) Yielding in Apr.
Enjoy Responsibly (IRE) 7-2 (11-7) Disputed early, soon chased leader in 2nd, mistake and unseated rider 1st, at Ballinrobe 2m 1f Yielding - Soft in Aug.
Cash And Go (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, not fluent 1st, under pressure 6th, weakened 5 out, jumped right after, modest 3rd, 3rd of 4, dist behind Kylemore Lough (11-0) at Exeter 2m 1f (2) hvy in Dec.
Pearls Legend 15-2 (10-7) Prominent, challenged 10th, led before 4 out, pressed 2 out, driven flat, stayed on gamely, won at Cheltenham 2m hcp (2) sft in Dec beating Going Concern (10-3) by 1l, 13 ran.
Arthur's Oak 11-4fav (11-2) Made all, jumped well, clear 2 out, very easily, eased closing stages, won at Haydock 2m hcp (3) hvy in Dec beating Back To Bracka (11-12) by 17l, 7 ran.
Barrakilla (IRE) 11-4 (11-12) Mid-division, headway before 7 out, chased winner from last, kept on and always held, 2nd of 8, 2 3/4l behind Balgarry (11-10) at Taunton 2m 2f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Bold Henry 11-2 (10-8) Held up in rear, headway after 9th, 4th and one pace 2 out, weakened last, 8th of 13, 23 3/4l behind Pearls Legend (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Keel Haul (IRE) 9-2jfav (10-5) Tracked leaders, ridden after 3 out, 3rd when not fluent 2 out, 4th and no extra from last, 4th of 13, 21l behind Pearls Legend (10-7) at Cheltenham 2m hcp (2) sft in Dec.
