tracked leaders, about a length down and staying on when fell 2 out
always behind
in touch, outpaced before 4 out, kept on from before 2 out, no impression
tracked leaders, outpaced before 2 out, kept on same pace
towards rear, in rear from 6th, outpaced before 5 out, kept on same pace, weakened last
brought down 1st
led to 5th, blundered last, one pace
tracked leaders until lost place from 6 out
with leaders, led 4th, about a length up when left clear after 2 out, kept on well
fell 1st
Nonrunner
Four of these came to grief last time and some of the fences here can be tricky. OFF THE GROUND has won twice over course and distance and only found one too good here last time. The third won the opener here yesterday so Charlie Longsdon's top weight looks the one to beat. Chepstow winner Javert was still moving well when unseating his rider next time at Newbury and has more to offer. Saints And Sinners might have needed his third at Sedgefield and Shimla Dawn should do better dropping back in distance but the jury is out on Strongpoint and Gone Too Far at present and Town Mouse has proved hard to place.
Off The Ground (IRE) 6-1 (11-8) Tracked leader, led 5 out, headed narrowly before 2 out, ridden and every chance run-in, no extra and held towards finish, 2nd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Voix D'eau (11-11) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Le Bacardy (FR) 25-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, hampered and fell 8 out, at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Shimla Dawn (IRE) 5-1 (11-8) In touch, led narrowly from 2nd, headed 14th, weakened 2 out, 6th of 9, 10 3/4l behind Smooth Stepper (11-1) at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Saints And Sinners (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Held up mid-division, went 4th before 2 out, kept on to take 3rd place from last, one pace, 3rd of 8, 11 1/4l behind Distime (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Victor Hewgo 5-1fav (10-12) Held up in rear, blundered 8th, pulled up before next, at Aintree 3m 1f hcp lst (1) gd in Apr.
Strongpoint (IRE) 16-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, fell 1st,, at Fairyhouse 2m 1f hcp Soft - Heavy in Nov.
Fairy Rath (IRE) 11-1 (11-5) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd 4th, led 4 out until approaching 2 out, no chance with winner soon after 2 out, weakened, lost 2nd at the last, just held on for 3rd, 3rd of 6, 31 1/2l behind Tenor Nivernais (11-5) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Rival D'Estruval (FR) 6-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, ridden after 3 out, headway before 2 out, one pace in 4th, 4th of 7, 23 1/4l behind Isaacstown Lad (10-11) at Kelso 3m 2f hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Javert (IRE) 7-1 (11-1) Tracked winner until 4th, chased leaders, blundered and unseated rider 9th, at Newbury 2m hcp (3) sft in Nov.
Town Mouse 8-1 (11-0) Led until 8th, weakened before 2 out, 5th of 8, 19 1/2l behind Andy Kelly (11-1) at Plumpton 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Gone Too Far 6-1 (11-6) Mid-division when blundered and unseated rider 1st, at Kempton 2m 4f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
