mid-division, blundered and unseated rider 2nd
led, headed before 5th, weakened from 4 out, tailed off, pulled up
mid-division, headway 6th, chased winner before last, kept on and always well held
mid-division, pushed along halfway and soon lost place, soon tailed off
towards rear, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened
in rear, headway before 4 out, in 4th before 3 out, weakened before last
mid-division, pushed along 6th, ridden before 2 out, plugged on and never dangerous
tracked leaders in 3rd, led before 2 out, kept on well
with leader, led before 5th, headed before 2 out, weakened run-in
towards rear, headway after 4 out, weakened before 3 out
tracked leaders, weakened before 3 out
This will take some getting in the conditions but it won't bother ROYAL SALUTE, who had just taken the lead over the track and trip on heavy ground in November when falling at the last. That was his first start since an unlucky fall over fences at Uttoxeter in April so he should be ready for this. Too Many Chiefs won over the course and distance on testing ground in November and was tackling much better class when fourth at Carlisle so he looks a threat but Rivabodiva won a lower grade handicap here in October and is 7lb higher. Niceandeasy easily landed a bumper on his debut then landed a maiden hurdle at Hexham in convincing fashion. He stepped up to novice company on a return visit and again impressed so he has to be respected despite making his handicap debut with a big weight. Bruichladdich is a progressive type who loves the conditions though he hasn't been seen since March.
Niceandeasy (IRE) 1-3fav (11-4) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden to lead last, pressed run-in, kept on well towards finish, won at Hexham 2m 4f (4) sft in Nov beating Bafana Blue (10-12) by 2 1/2l, 7 ran.
Royal Salute 16-1 (11-11) Headway to track leader approaching 1st, led next, ridden and headed 2 out, chased leader, every chance when fell last, at Ayr 3m hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Bruichladdich 8-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders in 3rd, outpaced 3 out, ridden and headway before last, kept on to lead run-in, held on well, won at Hexham 2m (4) hvy in Mar beating Storm Forecast (11-0) by 1l, 5 ran.
Hartforth 14-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, weakened before 5 out, tailed off, 7th of 10, 29 1/2l behind Ebony Rose (10-10) at Carlisle 3m 1f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Imperial Prince (IRE) 28-1 (10-5) Towards rear, weakened from 5 out, tailed off, pulled up, at Ayr 3m hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Chicoria (IRE) 8-1 (11-7) Not always fluent, held up towards rear, ridden after 9th, well held from 3 out, 7th of 8, 20 1/4l behind Pop Rockstar (11-6) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Skipthescales (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Mid-division, outpaced 4 out, ridden after next, stayed on into 4th when not fluent last, not trouble leaders, 4th of 13, 10 3/4l behind Pop Rockstar (11-12) at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Too Many Chiefs (IRE) 3-1fav (10-9) Tracked leaders, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 10, 14 1/4l behind Ebony Rose (10-10) at Carlisle 3m 1f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Rivabodiva (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Tracked leader, chased winner from last, kept on and always well held, 2nd of 12, 4l behind On A Promise (11-6) at Hexham 2m 7f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Letemgo (IRE) 14-1 (10-6) Held up in rear, headway 3 out, went 3rd before last, stayed on, no impression on front pair, 3rd of 8, 5 1/4l behind Pop Rockstar (11-6) at Haydock 2m 7f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Lastin' Memories 25-1 (11-10) Towards rear, some headway before 2 out, weakened on long run before the last, 7th of 13, dist behind Wig Wam Wiggle (10-10) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (5) hvy in Nov.
