towards rear, well adrift before 3 out
pulled hard in rear, headway into midfield 5th, chased leaders 3 out, faded from 2 out
held up in rear, blundered 4th, steady headway before 3 out, progress to chase leaders when not fluent 2 out, stayed on under pressure from last
towards rear, ridden and well beaten after 4 out
led narrowly, ridden and headed before 3 out, gradually weakened from 2 out
midfield, not fluent 5th and lost place, ridden after 4 out, one pace
held up in touch, ridden and weakened before 3 out
midfield, headway travelling strongly before 3 out, chased leader when ridden 2 out, led flat, drifted left close home, headed final strides
pressed leader, led travelling strongly before 3 out, ridden clear before 2 out, reduced advantage last, headed flat, stayed on strongly to lead final strides
keen behind leaders, ridden before 3 out, weakened before last
NonRunner
Applaus, the only course winner in the line-up, was second at Southwell two weeks ago. Wor Verge is on a hat-trick but will have to defy yet another career-high mark and BALLYBREEZE has more scope. Sam Drinkwater’s charge makes his handicap debut in modest company having shown up well in all three starts over timber so far. Kihavah is another having a first run in a handicap and he looks a danger given he’s improved with each run.
Lord Condi (IRE) 50-1 (11-7) In rear, always behind, tailed off, 7th of 13, dist behind Byzantine Empire (11-7) at Doncaster 2m 1f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Ballybreeze 6-1 (10-12) Raced keenly, held up in rear, effort and headway into 5th after 3 out, ridden after 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 8, 17 1/4l behind North Lodge (10-12) at Aintree 2m 1f (3) sft in Dec.
Feel The Pinch 100-1 (10-3) In rear, mistake 3rd, never a factor, tailed off, 8th of 12, 26 1/2l behind Lively Citizen (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
Lucky Lover Boy (IRE) 25-1 (11-12) Off the pace in last pair, behind and struggling before 3 out, tailed off, 7th of 8, 30 1/4l behind Ben Brody (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Applaus (GER) 40-1 (11-10) Midfield, headway on outside 5th, chased leaders when ridden 3 out, close up 2 out, stayed on flat, 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind Get Prepared (11-2) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Near Kettering 22-1 (9-3) Slowly away, pushed along in rear, never involved, 7th of 9, 18l behind Beat The Breeze (9-13) at Southwell 1m 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Zamond (FR) 11-1 (11-5) Chased clear leader, mistake 4th, led after 3 out, soon headed and beaten, mistake when weakening last, 4th of 13, 27 3/4l behind Go Dante (10-12) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 1f (4) gs in Oct.
Kihavah 11-2 (11-4) Mid division, going well in behind leaders home turn, could not go pace of leader last, kept on same pace flat, 3rd of 10, 4 3/4l behind Jungle Jack (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 1f mdn (4) gs in Dec.
Demi Sang (FR) 4-1jfav (11-12) Held up in rear, pushed along home turn, never on terms, 7th of 12, 34 3/4l behind Ginger Du Val (11-6) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Thomas Cranmer (USA) 66-1 (11-4) Towards rear, headway 4 out, ridden next, kept on one pace, 4th of 12, 12l behind Donny Boy (11-4) at Newcastle 2m mdn (4) gs in Dec.
Wor Verge 9-4jfav (11-5) Towards rear, good headway to chase front pair before 3 out, pressed leader 2 out, led going easily after 2 out, ridden out after last and stayed on, reduced lead towards finish, won at Kelso 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Duty Calls (10-9) by 1l, 6 ran.
