led, mistake and headed 4th, led again 8th, not fluent 9th, headed 12th, clear before last
fell 1st
with winner, led 4th, mistake 8th, led 12th, ridden and mistake 3 out, not fluent next, mistake last, kept on same pace
in rear, mistake 7th, soon reminders, weakened from 9th, soon pulled up
in touch, not fluent 5th, beaten when fell 3 out
mid-division, in 3rd from 11th, pushed along before 3 out, kept on same pace
mid-division, tracked leaders 7th, outpaced from 4 out, rallied from 2 out, kept on well run-in
towards rear, hampered 1st, pushed along before 11th, reminders before 14th, never dangerous
Samson has placed over this trip but his best efforts have come over 2m4f. He is now 0-7 over fences and looking vulnerable to less-exposed types. Billy Merriott’s placed efforts at Newbury and Stratford in the spring should be taken with a pinch of salt as they came in hunter chase company. FORGOT TO ASK was back-pedalling when falling at Market Rasen but will have needed that run. He has form in point-to-points and has also won a hurdle so chasing looks a natural progression. Militarian is a model of consistency and should run his race again but has gone up 3lb since his latest second at Hexham. Lex Talionis will likely to do better when the going turns soft.
Militarian 9-2fav (11-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd 7th, mistake next, driven to challenge after 2 out, kept on well, 2nd of 10, 3 3/4l behind Little Bruce (11-1) at Hexham 3m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
My Charity (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, went 2nd after next, no impression on winner last, 2nd of 13, 4 1/2l behind Secret Investor (11-0) at Stratford 2m 6f (4) gs in Apr.
Call Me Sid 40-1 (10-13) Not jump well in rear, behind from 5th, pulled up before 2 out, at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Billy Merriott (IRE) 6-4fav (11-10) Reluctant to line up, led in, well behind, reminder after 11th, not fluent 12th, went remote 4th after 13th, 25 lengths 4th 4 out, went 3rd after 3 out, closing 2nd on last bend, unable to challenge, 2nd of 7, 2 3/4l behind Abricot De L'Oasis (11-10) at Stratford 2m 7f (5) gs in Apr.
Forgot To Ask (IRE) 12-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, chased leaders after 10th, ridden after 4 out, 5th and beaten when fell next, at Market Rasen 3m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Lex Talionis (IRE) 40-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, slow 4th, soon pushed along, weakened next, 6th of 9, 25 3/4l behind Eragon De Chanay (11-12) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Seaston Spirit 9-1 (11-3) Close 3rd, hung left on paddock bend after 9th, went left 12th, close enough when fell 4 out, at Kempton 3m (3) gd in Nov.
Samson 10-1 (10-6) Mid-division, not fluent 6th, headway 10th, outpaced before 2 out, stayed on flat, went 2md towards finish, unable to trouble winner, 2nd of 9, 1l behind Roll The Dough (11-7) at Hereford 2m 5f hcp (4) gf in Nov.
