tracked leaders on inside, went 2nd 2 out, no impression approching last, stayed on same pace
held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, weakened before next, tailed off
led until 5th, stayed prominent, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching last
prominent, led 5th, headed approaching 2 out, weakened before last, tailed off
held up in mid-division on outside, headway 3 out, beaten after 2 out, stayed on one pace
chased leaders until 5th, soon weakened, tailed off
hit 4th, always behind, tailed off after 3 out
held up in rear, headway after 3 out, ridden and beaten in 6th when fell 2 out
prominent until ridden and weakened after 3 out, tailed off
tracked leaders, challenged after 3 out, led before next, soon clear, stayed on well
mid-division, ridden and weakened from 3 out, pulled up after
held up towards rear, headway approaching 5th, weakened after 3 out, tailed off
mid-division, pulled up before 5th
Several catch the eye in this, not least Barrie Burn who landed a gamble when last seen at Market Rasen in November. Fabulous Fred should be all the better for his reappearance at Sandown while Shuil Royale looked to be on the way back when third over this trip at Ascot. Kingsmere is still a maiden but has shown enough to suggest he can get involved off his current mark, though we just prefer BILLY MERRIOTT. The six-year-old looked as though his turn wasn't far away when a half-length second to African Broadway at Exeter on New Year's Day and he looks well treated on that run.
The Rainbow Hunter 7-1 (11-2) Mid-division, tracked leaders before 9th, went 2nd from next, ridden and weakened from 4 out, towards rear when fell next, in a race won by Prophete De Guye (10-10) at Ascot 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Nov, 11 ran.
Barrie Burn (IRE) 7-2fav (11-2) In rear, improved 4 out, tracked leaders going well 2 out, shaken up to lead towards finish, won at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs in Nov beating Milano Supremo (11-1) by 1l, 10 ran.
Tasheba 40-1 (10-8) Led until after 3rd, chased leaders, hit 3 out, still well there when ridden approaching 2 out, weakened between last 2, 7th of 15, 17l behind Ciceron (10-12) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) sft.
Dancing Dude (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Mid-division, ridden 4 out, weakened rapidly soon after, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Our Father (11-11) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Dec, 18 ran.
Heathcote 66-1 (10-5) In touch, lost place 4th, weakened before 3 out, 11th of 15, 29l behind Ciceron (10-12) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) sft.
Warne's Way (IRE) 6-1 (11-4) Led, ridden and headed before 4 out, soon behind, 6th of 11, 29l behind Grams And Ounces (10-0) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd in Dec.
Fabulous Fred (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) Took keen hold, pressed winner, lost 2nd and weakened quickly before 2 out, 14th of 18, 23l behind Enfant De Lune (11-4) at Sandown 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Nov.
Billy Merriott (IRE) 5-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 4th, chased leaders from 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, challenged last, led briefly soon after, pressed winner and every chance until no extra and held close home, 2nd of 14, 1/2l behind African Broadway (11-5) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft.
Hassadin 5-1 (10-13) Tracked leader until approaching 3rd, ridden on long run to last and soon weakened, tailed off, 5th of 9, 45l behind Achimota (11-6) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) hvy in Dec.
Shuil Royale (IRE) 11-2 (10-11) Towards rear, good headway to get in behind leaders approaching 8th, went 3rd 4 out, ridden and outpaced well before 2 out, stayed on again to modest 3rd final 150 yards, 3rd of 18, 16l behind Our Father (11-11) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Dec.
Seven Days (IRE) 20-1 (11-12) Held up mid-division, reminder after 8th, soon lost place, tailed off, pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Fontano (11-6) at Kempton 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gd in Nov, 10 ran.
Kingsmere 10-1 (11-6) In touch, ridden to chase leading pair after 3 out, kept on same pace and no impression from next, just held on for 3rd, 3rd of 14, 13l behind Bellflower Boy (11-0) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Little Fee 33-1 (10-3) Towards rear, ridden 3 out, no impression, 5th of 9, 21l behind Swincombe Flame (11-3) at Wincanton 2m mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
