held up mid-division, headway before 4 out, went 3rd before 2 out, weakened before last
tracked leaders, weakened quickly from 5 out, tailed off, pulled up before 3 out
always towards rear
held up towards rear, headway 6 out to chase leaders, in 4th when fell 3 out
held up in touch, chased leaders 8th, led 4 out, ridden before last, kept on and headed close home, rider unseated soon after winning line
held up towards rear, headway 5 out, ridden before 4 out, soon weakened
in rear, pushed along 12th, headway before 5 out, in 5th and one pace when fell 4 out
tracked leader, led 2nd, headed 4 out, ridden before last, kept on and led close home
led to 2nd, tracked leader, lost place from 8th, soon in rear
This looks a decent contest for the prize money. Mysteree only had one rival at Wetherby but jumped well and was returning from a break. Pure Poteen won at Chepstow before finishing second at Warwick and Askamore Darsi has similar credentials. The Ramblin Kid still had every chance when falling at Newcastle and would have finished ahead of eventual fourth Manballandall had he not come to grief. LOVELY JOB (NAP) was always marking time over hurdles and only found one too good on his chasing bow at Leicester. The third won by 11 lengths at Musselburgh earlier this week to give the form a boost and Fergal O'Brien's six-year-old looks the one to be on here.
Mysteree (IRE) 11-8 (11-2) With leader, led 9th, drew clear after 2 out, easily (2 fences ommited), won at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (3) sft in Dec beating Mossies Well (11-8) by 32l, 2 ran.
The Ramblin Kid 5-2fav (11-4) With leaders on outside, rider lost iron briefly after 2nd, led narrowly before next, mistake 6th, headed narrowly before next, upsides when fell 9th, at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Mercers Court (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, never a factor, 12th of 13, 33 1/4l behind Masterplan (11-3) at Ascot 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Leanna Ban 4-1 (10-12) Held up in rear but in touch, headway after 4 out, chasing leaders next, weakened before last, 3rd of 5, 13 1/4l behind Bon Enfant (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 5f (4) sft in Dec.
Lovely Job (IRE) 8-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, went 2nd 9th, not fluent 11th, challenged 4 out, no impression on winner from last, no extra, 2nd of 11, 13l behind Bekkensfirth (11-0) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Manballandall (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, behind and pushed along 6th, switched outside next, left close up in 4th at 9th, chased front pair before 3 out to next, modest 4th last, 4th of 7, 22 1/2l behind Bernardelli (11-12) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (3) hvy in Dec.
Pure Poteen (IRE) 7-2 (11-3) Held up, headway 13th, outpaced after 15th, rallied to chase winner before 2 out, no impression and stayed on same pace flat, 2nd of 7, 5l behind Conas Taoi (10-2) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Askamore Darsi (IRE) 3-1jfav (10-13) Tracked leader, outpaced in 3rd 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on to regain modest 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 13l behind Alto Des Mottes (11-0) at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Joseph Mercer (IRE) 33-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, driven to challenge 4 out, kept on from 2 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 6, 8l behind Courtown Oscar (11-0) at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
