chased leading pair, went 2nd 3 out, ridden and every chance last, led run in, driven out
with clear leader, led 2nd, ridden 2 out, headed next, kept on one pace
in touch but off the pace, ridden and headway 2 out, led next, headed run in, stayed on
led and clear with one other, headed 2nd, tracked leader until 3 out, weakened next
in touch but off the pace, ridden 3 out, never on terms
keen close up in 4th when hit and fell 4th
always towards rear, weakened 4th
not fluent in rear, never on terms
towards rear, weakened 4th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out
It was heavy ground here earlier in the month when VIRNON made a winning start over hurdles. He returned a clear winner on that occasion when beating Freddies Portrait six lengths and can confirm superiority with the latter. Lake View Lad won a bumper in testing going at Hexham recently and can figure if taking to hurdles while John Williams made the frame over these obstacles back in May. Herecomesnelson was not beaten far when only fifth at Kelso last month but ran poorly on his latest start.
Virnon 7-4fav (10-12) Chased leaders, not fluent 1st, effort after 3 out, led before last, ran on well, won at Carlisle 2m 1f (4) hvy in Nov beating Freddies Portrait (10-12) by 6l, 5 ran.
Freddies Portrait (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Close up, ridden 4 out, weakening when jumped right next, 5th of 8, 37 1/2l behind Vintage Clouds (10-12) at Haydock 2m 3f (3) sft in Nov.
Herecomesnelson (IRE) 28-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, pushed along 4 out, soon weakened, 13th of 15, dist behind Cornborough (11-0) at Ayr 2m mdn (5) gs in Oct.
John Williams (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Tracked winner, lost place after 3 out, weakened next, tailed off, 5th of 6, dist behind Oscar Blue (11-5) at Kelso 2m 7f (4) gd in Oct.
Lacerta 12-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway after 4 out, ridden to challenge next, weakened 2 out, 5th of 8, dist behind Bowdler's Magic (11-5) at Wetherby 2m 4f (4) sft in Nov.
Lake View Lad (IRE) 6-5fav (11-4) Tracked leaders in 3rd, led from about halfway, ridden over 1f out, clear inside final furlong, won at Hexham 2m mdn (6) hvy in Nov beating Egret (11-4) by 6l, 5 ran.
Strait Run (IRE) 50-1 (10-7) Towards rear and in touch, weakened before 3 out, 4th of 5, dist behind Smart Talk (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m 4f (4) gs in Nov.
Tommy The Rascal 5-1 (12-2) Pr, ld 5th, hdd 3out, no extra in 5th when fell last, at Templemore 3m mdn sft in Apr.
Play Practice 100-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, 10th of 11, 27 3/4l behind Micklegate Run (10-12) at Kelso 2m (5) gs in May.
Byronegetonefree 8-1 (10-12) In rear, struggling from halfway, pulled up before last, at Hexham 2m (4) hvy in Nov.
Turtleplex 50-1 (9-6) Led, ridden and headed over 4f out, weakened 2f out, 6th of 9, dist behind Pecking Order (8-12) at Ripon 1m 4f mdn stks (5) gd in Sep.
