made most until 3rd, chased leader, led after 2 out, kept on well
held up, mistake 8th, ridden to chase leaders approaching 3 out, weakened quickly 2 out, pulled up before last
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, stayed on to take 2nd close home, no chance with winner
with leaders, lost place 3rd, weakened from 10th, pulled up after next
with leaders, led 3rd, ridden and hit 2 out, soon headed, weakened and lost 2nd close home
behind from 8th, tailed off when pulled up before last
Nonrunner
Strong Resolve is the pick over stablemate See You There, Brandy Wine and Hugo de Grez. Strong Resolve seems to have recaptured some of his old form this season, the grey having already scored at Haydock in October. Peter Buchanan had the misfortune to lose an iron early on at Carlisle, so did well to finish third on Lucinda Russell's charge, and as he still looks better treated than last term, he is taken to prevail despite having to give weight away all round. The younger See You There put up a smart display to hold on from the odds-on Twelve Paces at Hexham last time, and as long as the handicapper does not hammer him too much, he should pay his way throughout the season. He meets Brandy Wine on much better terms than when beaten eight-lengths by that rival here last January, and should at least turn the tables on him. Hugo de Grez bolted up at Newcastle last time, his first victory in four years, but he is not guaranteed to repeat the feat, and we would rather side with Strong Resolve.
Devil's Run (IRE) 25-1 (10-9) Promient to halfway, soon lost place, no danger after, 12th of 16, well behind Twelve Paces (10-5) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Oct.
See You There (IRE) 7-2 (10-13) Tracked leader, led 11th, headed 3 out, rallied to lead approaching last, stayed on, won at Hexham 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Nov beating Twelve Paces (11-12) by a nk, 4 ran.
Brandy Wine (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, led 8th, headed before 3 out, no extra approaching last, 4th of 10, 11l behind Chabrimal Minster (11-5) at Kelso 3m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
Trisons Star (IRE) 5-1fav (11-10) In touch, reminder at 11th, outpaced 5 out, behind when pulled up 5 out in race won by Hugo de Grez (10-9) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Nov, 14 ran.
Hugo de Grez (FR) 7-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, led 5 out, clear when mistake 2 out, ridden out, comfortably, won at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Nov beating Farington Lodge (11-3) by 11l, 14 ran.
Kung Hei Fat Choi (IRE) 100-1 (10-4) Always behind, tailed off from 8th, last of 4, well behind Wild Cane Ridge (10-4) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs (2) sft in Nov.
Strong Resolve (IRE) 11-4fav (11-3) Disputed lead to 10th, and again 12th, mistake 5 out, every chance 2 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 8, 11l behind Datito (10-0) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Nov.
