close-up, mistake and unseated rider 5th
mid-division, towards rear and pushed after 4th, reminders after 6th, tailed off jumping 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, led narrowly after 4 out, ridden and headed before 3 out, weakened before 3 out, kept on one pace
led, ridden and headed after 4 out, ridden in 4th before 3 out, well beaten when awkward last, kept on
in rear, nudged in 4th after 6th, headway to track leader 4 out, contested lead approaching 3 out, ridden in 2nd after 3 out, awkward 2 out, kept on one pace
mid-division, smooth progress to contest lead before 3 out, led and ridden after 3 out, drew clear, comfortably
Tawseef and Cul De Poule at Leicester but both were well beaten. Evidence is required to decide whether Closing Ceremony is the force of old but Transpennine Star would go close if in the mood and Cook The Books showed promise in maiden last year for Dan Skelton, though has witched stables. SAINT DALINA’s stable is struggling for winners but he looked very unlucky at Leicester last month as he was only beaten a neck even though Tom Buckley had to ride out his mount in the closing stages with no irons.
Closing Ceremony (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, hit 3rd and next, pushed along and weakened before 2 out, 5th of 7, dist behind Storm Arising (11-10) at Lingfield 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Cook The Books (IRE) 9-2 (11-4) Chased leaders, ridden after 4 out, outpaced next, driven and stayed on into 3rd after last, no chance with front pair, 3rd of 13, 14l behind Ubetya (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn (4) hvy in Jan.
Tawseef (IRE) 80-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, went 2nd from 5th until normal 3 out, weakened before next, 7th of 10, 20l behind Breffniboy (11-8) at Leicester 2m hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Transpennine Star 10-1 (11-7) In touch, pushed along after 7th, no extra before 2 out, 5th of 11, 18 1/2l behind Riggs (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Cul De Poule 66-1 (11-8) Held up in mid-division on outside, headway when mistake normal 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 10, 24l behind Breffniboy (11-8) at Leicester 2m hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Saint Dalina (FR) 10-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, mistake 4th, pushed along before 3 out, led when dived through 2 out, rider lost left iron, rider kicked right iron out before not fluent last, headed close home, 2nd of 6, nk behind Avoid De Master (11-10) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
