led 2nd, mistake and headed 4 out, dropped to 3rd, ridden and weakened before 2 out, refused last
tracked leaders in 4th, went 3rd before 2 out, soon switched right, disputing close 2nd and every chance 2 out, hung left under pressure and no extra flat
took keen hold early, held up, headway tracking leading pair 2nd, led 4 out until 3 out, chased winner, every chance 2 out, ridden between last two, still every chance when not fluent last, no extra flat
led until 2nd with leader, led again 3 out, joined 2 out, soon ridden, pressed last, ridden clear flat
not fluent, chased leaders until dropped to rear after 2nd but in touch, not fluent and reminder 6th, jumped slowly 10th, outpaced 12th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
Merchant Of Milan has never won and was beaten a long way when runner-up at Worcester so could have done with a drop in the ratings. Ronnie Lawson showed nothing in three starts over hurdles so it's a surprise he has a mark of 102 but his trainer is in outstanding form and he may prove better over fences than timber. Silvergrove has a similar profile though at least he's jumped fences between the flags as has De Kerry Man, who has a couple of decent runs to his credit. Coeur De Fou has plenty of experience over fences and won't mind the ground but a chance is taken on THE FLYING COLUMN. Ian Williams' charge has won between the flags and though well beaten over timber he comes here on a very lowly mark and should do better over fences.
Merchant Of Milan 9-4 (11-6) Tracked winner throughout, not fluent 13th, kept on same pace, no chance in clear 2nd from 5 out, 2nd of 4, 27l behind The Young Master (11-6) at Worcester 2m 7f beg chs (4) gd in Sep.
Coeur De Fou (FR) 3-1 (11-9) Tracked leaders, outpaced 4 out, soon weakened, 5th of 9, 29l behind Great Link (11-7) at Worcester 2m nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Jun.
Silvergrove 18-1 (11-1) Mid-division, weakened before 3 out, 5th of 12, 41l behind Dream Deal (11-10) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs.
De Kerry Man (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, keen early, lost touch before 8th, well beaten 3 out, 5th of 10, 30l behind Come On Laurie (11-5) at Towcester 2m 5f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
The Flying Column (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Always behind, struggling 3rd, tailed off 2 out (usual 3 out), 11th of 12, well behind Desert Recluse (11-0) at Stratford 2m mdn hdl (5) gd in Oct.
Ronnie Lawson (IRE) 13-2 (10-12) Tracked leaders, outpaced before 3 out, weakened approaching next, 4th of 6, 35l behind Brother Tedd (10-12) at Kempton 2m 5f nov hdl (4) gs.
