towards rear, headway 3 out, led before 2 out, clear run-in, kept on well
in touch, ridden and weakened before 2 out
in rear, headway before 3 out, kept on from last
led, headed before 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, headway before 2 out, soon ridden, kept on towards finish
tracked leaders, chased winner before 2 out, not fluent last, kept on and no impression
mid-division, reminders before 5 out, weakened next
tracked leaders, led before 3 out, ridden and headed before 2 out, weakened before last
American Life is 8lb better off than when beaten under two lengths by TAILOR TOM at Bangor but Oliver Greenall’s veteran is running out of time and opportunities to end a losing run over hurdles that stretches back more than two years. Donald McCain’s charge, a dour stayer, has since run well at Catterick and could find even more improvement in first-time cheekpieces. Skipthescales is probably high enough in the weights at present but might benefit from the fitting of blinkers and shouldn’t be ignored. Tickanrun has gone up 5lb for finishing second at Wetherby following a lengthy lay-off but was placed over track and trip in 2016 and is entitled to strip fitter today.
Skipthescales (IRE) 4-1 (11-7) Mid-division, pushed along 6th, ridden before 2 out, plugged on and never dangerous, 3rd of 11, 20 1/2l behind Too Many Chiefs (11-6) at Ayr 3m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Tailor Tom (IRE) 9-4 (11-10) Tracked leaders, chased winner before and hit 2 out, kept on and held towards finish, 2nd of 5, 2l behind Chu Chu Percy (11-12) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Chicoria (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) In rear, headway before 4 out, in 4th before 3 out, weakened before last, 5th of 11, 29 1/2l behind Too Many Chiefs (11-6) at Ayr 3m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Moorlands Mist 15-2 (11-7) Jumped slow at times held up, reminders 4th, behind 10th, pulled up before 4 out, at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
American Life (FR) 2-1fav (11-6) Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, stayed on flat, went 3rd close home, 3rd of 9, 1 3/4l behind Tailor Tom (11-4) at Bangor 2m 7f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Tickanrun (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Mid-division, headway after 4 out, led before next, challenged when mistake 2 out, headed after last, kept on well, 2nd of 16, 1 3/4l behind Final Fling (11-6) at Wetherby 3m hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Millrose Bell (IRE) 80-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, outpaced 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 6, dist behind Contented (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f (4) sft in Dec.
Lastin' Memories 33-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, weakened before 3 out, 8th of 11, dist behind Too Many Chiefs (11-6) at Ayr 3m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
