tracked leaders, niggled along before 4th, outpaced after 3 out, weakened before next
made all, clear 3rd, mistake last, easily
raced in 4th, pushed along after 3rd, went 3rd from 7th, went 2nd 2 out, no chance with winner, edged left flat, stayed on same pace
chased winner, not fluent 6th or 7th, lost 2nd before 2 out, stayed on same pace
not that fluent, held up in rear, mistake 3rd, headway on outside before 3 out, went 2nd briefly when mistake 2 out, 4th and no extra flat
held up in rear, ridden and weakened 3 out, went left 2 out
The longer trip is unknown territory for IRVING but he’s the class act in this and it’s worth taking a chance on his stamina. He won a Grade 2 the last time he raced in handicap company and is 5lb lower now. Boite has had a wind operation since his second at Wincanton on Boxing Day but is still 4lb higher than when last successful. General Ginger looks worth opposing on the going and conditions are even more of a concern for the unbeaten Monbeg Legend, who has done all of his winning on summer jumping ground and has been off the track since July. Cold March makes his seasonal reappearance and will be going chasing again soon while Kings Lad has an even longer absence to overcome.
Irving 9-2 (11-7) In touch in 4th place, in rear from 7 out, headway before 3 out, kept on to take 2nd place towards finish, no chance with winner, 2nd of 5, 3 1/2l behind Buveur D'air (11-7) at Newcastle 2m (1) sft in Dec.
Boite (IRE) 11-2 (11-0) Chased leader, led 6th, mistake 3 out, strongly challenged when not fluent last, soon headed, no extra, 2nd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Protek Des Flos (10-9) at Wincanton 2m 5f hcp (2) hvy in Dec.
Monbeg Legend Evensfav (11-12) Tracked leader, led before 6 out, ridden after last, held on well towards finish, won at Worcester 2m 4f (4) gd in Jul beating Ahead of The Curve (11-5) by 3/4l, 6 ran.
Cold March (FR) 11-4 (11-12) Led 1st, soon headed, tracked leader, not fluent 7th, mistake 4 out, weakened next, 3rd of 5, 23l behind Ink Master (10-0) at Chepstow 2m hcp (2) gd in Apr.
General Ginger 10-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, niggled along when not fluent 5th, led approaching 2 out, headed before last, no impression on winner, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 9, 7 3/4l behind High Expectations (11-3) at Leicester 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Kings Lad (IRE) 33-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, lost place after 2nd, ridden and no impression after 3 out, 6th of 14, 20l behind Cottersrock (11-2) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
