led to 3rd, every chance 5 out, weakened from next
tracked leaders, lost place before 5 out
chased leaders, led 3 out, clear before last, kept on well
mid-division, headway before 3 out, kept on to take 2nd place towards finish
always towards rear
tracked leaders, led from 3rd, headed 10th, weakened before 5 out
mid-division, headway before 3 out, kept on same pace, no extra from last
behind, headway before 7 out, chased winner before last until lost 2nd place towards finish
held up in touch, weakened before 7 out
always towards rear
held up mid-division, headway before 9th, led 10th, ridden 4 out, headed 3 out, weakened 2 out
held up mid-division, pushed along before 5 out, weakened before 4 out
always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up before 4 out
held up towards rear, headway after 6 out, ridden before 2 out, kept on run-in
This looks a tough one to call but Milgen Bay was in good form in the autumn. Master Of The Game may need this, however, and Trickaway is another with a lengthy absence to overcome. Fair Dilemma, Drumlang and No Likey could all figure, however, and Sandy Beach boasts useful form when the fences don’t get in the way. PURPLE 'N GOLD has his ground and David Noonan's claim to boost a handicap mark that is only a pound higher than when successful on similar going at Worcester in September. He may be ready to strike, though Sun Wild Life has been knocking on the door and won’t go down without a fight.
Off The Ground (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) In touch, lost place 11th, behind when pulled up 4 out, at Newbury 2m 4f hcp (1) sft in Mar.
Fair Dilemma (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) Tracked leader, lost place before 6 out, tailed off 4 out, last of 6, dist behind Simply Ned (11-12) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp (2) gf in Oct.
Ruben Cotter (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, hampered 6th, outpaced before 2 out, weakened last, 14th of 29, dist behind Eastlake (10-11) at Aintree 2m 5f hcp (1) gs in Apr.
Purple 'n Gold (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Pressed leader, challenged 7th, led next, ridden and headed before 2 out, lost 2nd 2 out, no extra in 3rd, 3rd of 5, 19 1/2l behind Big Jim (11-3) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp (2) gs in Apr.
Sandy Beach 9-4fav (10-1) Tracked leaders, blundered and unseated rider 6th, at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp (2) hvy in Mar.
Trickaway (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Led, soon well clear, mistake 7th, reduced advantage 4 out, mistake next, soon headed, ridden and no chance with clear pair before last, 3rd of 10, 33 3/4l behind A Good Skin (11-4) at Cheltenham 3m 1f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Hepijeu (FR) 7-1 (11-12) Led, headed before 4 out, soon weakened, 4th of 7, dist behind Noche De Reyes (11-3) at Ludlow 2m hcp (3) gd in Apr.
No Likey (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, mistake 7th, 4th and outpaced 3 out, 4th of 6, 19l behind Kalifourchon (11-2) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Sep.
Drumlang (IRE) 25-1 (11-9) Mid-division, ridden after 3 out, beaten when hampered next, 9th of 15, 22 3/4l behind Dazinski (11-4) at Warwick 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Master Of The Game (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, blundered 9th, headway 11th, went 3rd before and mistake last, no impression, 3rd of 7, 14 1/2l behind Noble Friend (10-12) at Stratford 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Jun.
Milgen Bay 8-1 (11-6) Tracked leader, not fluent 9th or 4 out, led 3 out, soon headed, led again before next, clear approaching last, stayed on well, won at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Nov beating Denali Highway (11-12) by 7l, 9 ran.
Sun Wild Life (FR) 11-4jfav (11-7) Chased leaders, 2nd at 12th, led 14th, 4 lengths clear before 2 out, ridden between last two, headed and no extra last strides, 2nd of 5, nk behind Millicent Silver (11-5) at Newton Abbot 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Apr.
Lookslikerainted (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, chasing leaders before next, 4th and one pace last, 4th of 11, 12 3/4l behind Closer To Home (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Mar.
Cruchain (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Held up, in touch, went 4th before 8th, 3rd 5 out until 3 out, weakening when blundered 2 out, tailed off, last of 6, dist behind Captain Flash (10-11) at Chepstow 3m hcp (4) gd in Mar.
