tracked leaders, went 2nd from 5th, led 5 out, headed next, well held in 2nd when blundered 2 out
held up, in rear, headway 9th, led 4 out, clear from 2 out, eased towards finish
led, blundered and headed 4th, chased leaders, behind and outpaced 10th, kept on from 3 out, no impression
held up, towards rear, not fluent and outpaced 11th, effort after 5 out, weakened approaching 3 out
with leader, led 4th, headed 5 out, weakened approaching 3 out, in 3rd and held when hit last
held up, in touch, mistake 2nd, hit 5 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, mistake 12th, mistake 4 out, soon weakened
Withdrawn
Lucinda Russell's Etxalar was still going well prior to unseating his rider at Cheltenham last month and he would have every chance if his jumping holds up but a safer option looks to be SKIPPERS BRIG, who is preferred to recent Catterick winner BallaBriggs. Don McCain's gelding won well at the Yorkshire venue but an 11lb rise for that success looks harsh despite having been eased heavily late on in that event and he may have to settle for minor honours. Tim Walford's Gypsy George was well held on his first start since January of last year when beaten behind Mr Strachan at Hexham last month and he looks best watched at present with a bigger threat likely to come from Craiglands. Jim Goldie's gelding disappointed at Doncaster behind Calgary Bay but the softer ground today should help him, while Sue Smith's Himalayan Trail has given little sign of encouragement in all starts this term. Preference then in is for Skippers Brig, who has been running consistently well for Nicky Richards this term and he can confirm earlier form here over 2m4f with Etxalar with the longer trip expected to bring about improvement.
Gypsy George 6-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, pushed along approaching 12th, soon weakened, 5th of 10, well behind Mr Strachan (11-4) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Dec.
BallaBriggs (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) In touch, headway to go 2nd 12th, led and blundered 3 out, 8 lengths clear last, stayed on well, easily, won at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Jan beating Dark Ben (10-12) by 9l, 15 ran.
Etxalar (FR) 12-1 (10-8) Tracked leader, narrow lead 5th until 9th, chasing leader when blundered and unseated rider 10th, in a race won by Hey Big Spender (11-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-130 (2) sft in Jan, 11 ran.
Craiglands (IRE) 4-1fav (10-2) Held up towards rear, behind when hampered 11th, 6th of 12, 37l behind Calgary Bay (11-10) at Doncaster 3m hcp chs 0-150 (2) gd in Dec.
Newman Des Plages (FR) 7-2 (11-2) With leader, lost place from 7th, kept on from 4 out, no impression, 4th of 8, 44l behind Huka Lodge (10-8) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Nov.
Himalayan Trail 10-1 (10-11) Mostly chased leaders, mistakes 4th and 13th, blundered 17th, mistake and weakened 4 out, 5th of 9, 39l behind Boris The Blade (10-4) at Haydock 3m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Jan.
Harry Flashman 22-1 (11-6) Held up, mistake 1st, blundered 11th, weakened from 13th, 6th of 11, well behind Mill Side (11-7) at Doncaster 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Dec.
Skippers Brig (IRE) 15-2 (10-11) Held up in mid-division, headway to get in behind leaders when blundered 4 out, not fluent next, chased leaders soon after, kept on into 3rd after last, 3rd of 17, 10l behind Poquelin (11-8) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grade 3 (4yo+) (1) sft in Dec.
Not Left Yet (IRE) 10-1 (11-12) Mistakes and never going well in rear, ridden 8th, hit 10th, pulled up before next, in a race won by The Sawyer (11-6) at Newbury 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Jan '09, 15 ran.
Minster Shadow 22-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, mistake 13th, ridden and effort approaching 4 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 12, 10l behind Its Teescomponents (10-1) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Jan.
