raced keenly, led before 2nd, not fluent next, went clear before 4 out until next, went clear again before last, readily
not fluent 1st, held up and behind, good headway chasing leaders before 3 out, went 2nd and hit 3 out, soon lost 2nd chased leaders, kept on same pace before last
held up towards rear, good headway on outside chasing leaders before 3 out, went 2nd after 3 out, no impression before last
chased leading pair, mistake 2nd, went 2nd after 4th until before 3 out, ridden and weakened quickly after 3 out, well behind, hit next
held up tracking leaders on inside, pushed along after 3 out, ridden and one pace before the last
held up in last pair, some headway in moderate 5th after 3 out, never on terms
led until before 2nd, chased winner until after 4th, weakened rapidly 4 out, tailed off and pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders on outside, weakened before 3 out, tailed off and pulled up before next
CHRISTMAS IN USA was well beaten on last month’s reappearance having won twice in this lower grade last season. Neil Alexander’s charge will be sharper today and a bold bid is expected off his current mark. First Of Never scored on good ground over track and trip in April and returns to action 5lb higher while Millie The Minx has undergone wind surgery since racing on the Flat in September and finished runner-up at Carlisle when last competing over timber. Little Pippin hasn’t raced since Boxing Day last year but has won at this level over hurdles and makes most appeal of the remainder.
Christmas In Usa (FR) 10-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, led 3rd, headed 2 out, soon weakened, 8th of 14, 29 3/4l behind Gennady (11-10) at Kelso 2m hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Little Pippin 9-1 (10-9) Mid-division, mistake 1st, lost place 4th, not fluent next, well behind 6th, 9th of 11, 26l behind Suggestion (11-1) at Wetherby 2m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Millie The Minx (IRE) 10-1 (8-10) Prominent, effort over 2f out, stayed on same pace, 6th of 15, 5 1/4l behind Gylo (9-13) at Catterick 1m 4f hcp (6) gf in Sep.
Oceanus (IRE) 18-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, some headway 3 out, weakened before 2 out, 7th of 16, 37 3/4l behind Paris Protocol (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Jo Cashflow 250-1 (10-7) Jumped left towards rear, tailed off 3 out, 7th of 9, dist behind Thelongwayaround (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 4f mdn (5) gd in Apr.
First Of Never (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Chased winner to 6th, weakened approaching 3 out, 6th of 8, dist behind Magna Cartor (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (4) gs in May.
Fast And Friendly (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Mid-division, mistake 1st, ridden after 5th, well beaten from 3 out, 9th of 10, dist behind Lucky Flight (11-4) at Kelso 2m (4) sft in Oct.
Sweet Marmalade (IRE) 33-1 (9-13) Held up, ridden 2f out, never on terms, 13th of 16, 15 3/4l behind Breathable (10-6) at Carlisle 1m 3f hcp (5) gs in Aug.
