led, mistake 5th, not fluent and headed 7th, soon ridden along, weakened next, tailed off
in rear, not fluent 7th, behind from next, tailed off
in touch on outside, ridden and weakening when jumped slowly 8th, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out
held up, in rear, steady headway approaching 8th, weakened after 3 out (placed 4th)
tracked leaders, led 8th, terrible mistake and headed next, blundered 3 out, rallied to challenge 2 out, led last, driven out
held up, towards rear, behind from 8th, tailed off
chased leaders, challenged after 3 out, led before next, headed last, stayed on same pace (disqualified - failing to weigh in at correct weight)
mid-division, not fluent 7th, headway next, hampered 9th, no extra flat (placed 3rd)
with leader, mistake 5th, led 7th until next, left in lead 9th, headed after 3 out, soon weakened
in rear, hit 2nd, jumped left 5th, headway 8th, led after 3 out until before 2 out, soon weakened
held up, towards rear, ridden after 7th, headway approaching 2 out, stayed on same pace last (placed 2nd)
SONNY MULLEN is preferred to Winterwood and Kristoffersen in a competitive affair. Kim Bailey's gelding is less exposed than many of his rivals and his profile is more attractive. A winner at Uttoxeter in November, he was then outclasssed and outspeeded at Cheltenham behind Radium. That was still a gallant effort and now stepped back up in trip he should take some beating. Inghwung is interesting on his old form and it was a good reappearance effort at Kempton last month. Winterwood won nicely at Doncaster when last seen and interestingly is fitted with a visor this afternoon, Honour High has been out of form but now looks well-handicapped, whilst chaser Very Cool hasn't fired over hurdles of late. Mealagh Valley has been off for almost two years and fitness must be taken on trust, whilst Merigo is interesting over hurdles along with unexposed novice Oscar Prairie. Kristoffersen is consistent but ultimately hard to win with so despite a nice racing weight he is passed over. The market should help here, but preference is for Sonny Mullen.
Very Cool 25-1 (10-12) Led to 2nd, chased leaders, jumped slowly 6th, weakening when not fluent 3 out, mistakes 2 out, 10th of 18, 46l behind Lie Forrit (11-8) at Newbury 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gs in Nov.
Honour High 22-1 (11-3) Chased leaders until after 7th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Magic Sky (10-7) at Fontwell 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Jan, 11 ran.
Inghwung 33-1 (10-0) Close up, mistake and dropped to rear 8th, soon struggling and tailed off after 3 out, 6th of 10, well behind Strawberry (11-4) at Kempton 3m hdl (2) gs in Dec.
Sonny Mullen (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, ridden and every chance after 2 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 10, 22l behind Radium (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Jan.
Winterwood (IRE) 7-2fav (11-10) Held up, reminders after 3rd, chased leaders approaching 4 out, led approaching 3 out, driven out, won at Doncaster 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Dec beating Cash For Honours (10-9) by 4l, 13 ran.
Mealagh Valley (IRE) 16-1 (11-5) In touch, headway to join leaders after 3 out, ridden after next, one pace, 8th of 20, 9l behind Oberon Moon (11-5) at Cheltenham 3m nov hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gs in Apr '08.
Merigo (FR) 11-1 (11-10) Held up in touch, under pressure 8th, soon weakened, 7th of 14, well behind Silver By Nature (11-0) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Nov.
Oscar Prairie (IRE) 8-1 (11-5) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 7th, mistake 3 out, no impression on leaders after, 4th of 10, 10l behind Little George (11-5) at Leicester 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Quelqu'un Comme Toi (FR) 8-1 (11-9) In touch, effort when not fluent 2 out, soon weakened, 9th of 14, 30l behind Dan Buoy (10-12) at Southwell 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Jan.
Radmores Revenge 25-1 (10-7) Behind, tailed off 4 out, no chance when slightly hampered last, 14th of 16, well behind Dantari (11-1) at Chepstow 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Oct.
Kristoffersen 11-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 4 out, ridden and stayed on to chase leading pair, flat no impression, 3rd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Deep Pockets (10-3) at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
