held up in last pair, closer out wide at 13th, went 3rd before 2 out, stayed on same pace, no chance with winner
jumped well, came clear before 2 out, kept up to work run-in, unchallenged
held up in 5th, weakened and pulled up quickly before 9th
chased leading pair, went 2nd at 13th, ridden and one pace from 2 out, no chance with winner
raced in 4th, jumped slowly 3rd, blundered badly went badly right and almost unseated rider at 6th, jumped slowly and reminder 10th, weakened next, tailed off
went right 1st, chased winner, went right again next, lost 2nd 13th, soon lost place and weakened, tailed off
held up in last pair, went right 2nd and 9th, closer at 11th, went 3rd after 13th until before 2 out, no extra in 4th
This looks quite competitive with Stop Talking interesting back on a winning mark as he goes well fresh and his last run was over hurdles. En Meme Temps found only one too good on his chasing debut and Dubai Days has been progressing nicely and rarely ventures this far south. Having won at Worcester, THE MIGHTY ARC did even better off an 8lb higher mark at Doncaster, only giving best on the run-in. The second that day went one better next time so the form looks solid. A winner over track and trip in November, Cooper's Cross was thwarted by a rallying Winds Of Fire over half-a-mile further at Newcastle but should be competitive again in this.
Dubai Days (IRE) 3-1 (10-13) Held up in last, mistake 12th, not fluent next, outpaced after next, rallied 3 out, led last, driven out, won at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (3) sft in Dec beating Royal Arcade (10-13) by 3/4l, 4 ran.
The Mighty Arc (IRE) 4-1 (11-10) Prominent, not much room 5th and dropped to mid-division, went 3rd 10th, ridden and pressed leaders 2 out, kept on but no extra run-in, 3rd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Dr Sanderson (11-9) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Cooper's Cross (IRE) 7-4jfav (10-6) Last pair, headway on outside 10th, led 4 out, jumped right 3 out, jumped right and mistake 2 out, headed last, held flat, 2nd of 4, 1 3/4l behind Winds Of Fire (10-10) at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
En Meme Temps (FR) 9-1 (11-5) Prominent, challenged 4 out, every chance flat, stayed on, just held, 2nd of 9, 1/2l behind African Dance (11-12) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Stop Talking (IRE) 22-1 (11-7) Held up towards rear, some headway 3 out, no impression, soon weakened, 7th of 9, dist behind Could Be Trouble (11-12) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Bulldoze (IRE) 8-1 (12-0) Led and disputed, headed 8th, lost place and reminders 4 out, weakened and pulled up before 2 out, at Tipperary 2m 3f Yielding in Jul.
Cool Country (IRE) 6-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, slow and lost place 3rd, ridden and behind 7th, pulled up after 8th, at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
