mid-division, headway 8th, in touch when fell 9th
held up mid-division, mistake 7th, weakening, pulled up before 3 out
held up, mistake 3rd, struggling 8th, soon behind, pulled up before 11th
held up, headway approaching 9th, chased leaders 12th, every chance when fell 2 out
led, not fluent 6th, headed 10th, mistake 11th, soon weakened, pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, headway 11th, weakening before 3 out, behind when pulled up after next
tracked leader, led 10th, headed 2 out, soon weakened
always behind, pulled up before 9th
tracked leaders, driven to challenge 3 out, left in lead next, stayed on under pressure
held up towards rear, pulled up before 11th
always behind, pulled up after 9th
held up when blundered, unseated rider 2nd
held up, headway, hit 11th, chased leaders 2 out, soon every chance, no extra flat
Nonrunner
This does not look to be as competitive as the numbers would suggest and the vote goes to Corrib Lad, who is taken to follow up last month's Hexham success at the main expense of Lanaken and Silver Jack. The selection has gone up 8lbs for that success which looks harsh but Len Lungo's gelding did everything asked of him that day and, with further improvement to come and ground that suits, he looks worth a bet. Irish raider Lanaken has solid claims on the pick of his form but that has all been on a faster surface, while Not A Trace and Grand Slam both have place claims but are hard to recommend. Fountain Brig is held by Silver Jack on running here last month and while Martin Todhunter's gelding let that form down at Carlisle subsequently, he clearly has solid claims on previous course form. Corrib Lad has done nothing wrong though and he gets the vote.
True North (IRE) 20-1 (10-13) In touch, hit 9th, left 4th next, no progress after, 4th of 10, 21l behind Super Sammy (10-9) at Sedgefield 2m 5f beg chs (E) sft in Feb.
Silver Jack (IRE) 9-2fav (10-0) Tracked leaders, ridden and every chance 4 out, weakened 2 out, 3rd of 9, 26l behind Silver Knight (10-6) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-135 (C) sft in Nov.
Em's Royalty 7-2 (11-2) Mid-division when blundered and unseated rider at the 4th in race won by Weapons Inspector (11-2) at Sedgefield 3m 3f mdn chs (E) hvy, 11 ran.
Corrib Lad (IRE) 2-1fav (11-12) Led 2nd, made rest, stayed on strongly flat, won at Hexham 2m nov hcp chs 0-95 (F) sft in Nov beating Ideal Du Bois Beury (10-6) by 2l, 9 ran.
Lanaken (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Made all, joined 10th, ridden 4 out, kept on best, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) gf in Nov beating Word Gets Around (11-3) by 3l, 9 ran.
Northern Minster 7-1 (11-11) Chased leader, led 4th, hit 6th, hit 12th, headed when unseated rider at the 14th in race won by Forest Dante (11-2) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (E) gd in Nov, 5 ran.
Oliverjohn (IRE) 14-1 (10-9) Chased leaders to halfway, tailed off when pulled up at the 11th in race won by Oh So Brave (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 5f beg chs (E) frm in Jul, 13 ran.
Not A Trace (IRE) 11-2 (11-7) Tracked leaders, hit 3 out, driven and outpaced next, soon no impression, 4th of 13, 10l behind Saucy King (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-90 (F) gf in Oct.
Fountain Brig 11-4 (10-9) Led to 11th, hit next, soon weakened, 3rd of 5, 23l behind Silver Jack (11-12) at Ayr 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) sft in Nov.
Another Taipan (IRE) 66-1 (10-5) Towards rear, never dangerous, 9th of 14, well behind High Day (10-9) at Hexham 2m 4f nov hdl (E) sft in Nov.
Jofi (IRE) 200-1 (10-11) Led, hit 4th, headed next, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Numero Un de Solzen (10-11) at Carlisle 2m 4f nh nov hdl (E) sft in Nov, 10 ran.
Do Keep Up 50-1 (11-1) Mid-division, ridden and weakened after 5 out, 4th of 7, 34l behind Wild Cane Ridge (11-6) at Newcastle 2m 4f beg chs (E) gs in Nov.
Mikasa (IRE) 100-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, ridden after 3 out, never near leaders, 5th of 12, 36l behind Compo (10-11) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hdl 0-90 (F) hvy.
Grand Slam (IRE) 33-1 (10-5) Towards rear, outpaced 4 out, hampered and left 4th 2 out, soon led, headed last, no extra, 5th of 10, 11l behind One Five Eight (11-7) at Kelso 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-100 (E) gs.
Mounthooley 100-1 (11-0) Led to 8th, mistake 10th, lost place 12th, behind when blundered next, tailed off and pulled up 2 out in race won by Mel In Blue (10-7) at Kelso 2m 6f nov chs (C) gs, 8 ran.
