pressed leader, led 3rd, made rest, pushed along and joined last, strongly pressed flat, found extra in closing stages
in rear, pushed along and lost touch before 6th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
slight lead until 3rd, chased winner until ridden after 3 out, chased leading pair under pressure until before 2 out, soon weakened
held up in last pair, some headway under pressure 6th, ridden in dispute of modest 5th after 3 out, soon beaten, tailed off
in touch, pushed along and lost place before 6th, tailed off
chased leaders, pushed along before 5th, weakened before 7th, struggling in modest 5th when blundered 2 out
always in rear, lost touch and struggling before 6th, tailed off
chased leaders until lost place 4th, rallied to 4th 7th, stayed on to modest 3rd before 2 out
chased leaders, went 2nd after 3 out, hit 2 out, every chance last, ridden and strong challenge flat, no extra in closing stages
Amir Pasha becomes a centurion today. He's having his 100th career start and enters the fray in top form, though none of his six victories over hurdles has been off a mark this high. Spiekeroog hasn't really progressed from last year's Newcastle victory and he was beaten in a seller the last time he ran over timber while Sparkling Hand appears well handicapped but might find the ground a bit lively. Civil Unrest scored over fences at Sedgefield then won twice over hurdles to complete a hat-trick. He's now 14lb higher than his latest success at Kelso so the vote goes to AFICIONADO. Still only a three-year-old, he's taken really well to hurdling and was only narrowly beaten by Dickie Henderhoop in an all-aged handicap at Carlisle.
Smadynium (FR) 20-1 (10-3) Always prominent, led before 3 out, headed approaching last, no extra, 3rd of 12, 3l behind Moujik Borget (11-1) at Haydock 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Nov.
Tourtiere 66-1 (10-12) Held up towards 3 out, chasing leaders when mistake 2 out, never on terms, 4th of 9, 10l behind Franciscan (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Civil Unrest (IRE) 5-6fav (10-9) Made all, ridden before last, kept on run-in, won at Kelso 2m 2f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in Nov beating Trust Thomas (11-5) by 3/4l, 10 ran.
Spiekeroog 7-2 (11-5) In touch, slow 6th, headway to chase winner approaching last, never able to challenge, 2nd of 6, 13l behind Moufatango (11-0) at Hexham 2m 4f sell hdl (5) gs in Oct.
Amir Pasha (UAE) 2-1fav (11-11) Chased leaders, not fluent 3rd or 5th, ridden and went 2nd before 3 out, led approaching 2 out, driven out, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Nov beating Queen Of Epirus (11-4) by 4 1/2l, 7 ran.
Funky Munky 7-2 (10-13) Led, headed after 3rd, in touch, led again narrowly 2 out, headed before last, kept on same pace, no impression flat, 4th of 10, 11l behind Tikkandemickey (11-1) at Hexham 2m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) hvy in Nov.
Sparkling Hand 9-2 (11-7) Led, headed before 2 out, soon weakened, last of 7, 39l behind Rattlin (11-7) at Hexham 2m 4f mrs hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Jun.
Another Dimension (IRE) 33-1 (10-9) Always behind, weakened 3 out, 10th of 11, well behind Waltz Darling (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (4) gs in Nov.
Aficionado 9-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, headway to go 3rd before 2 out, chased winner before last, kept on and just held close home, 2nd of 7, hd behind Dickie Henderhoop (10-9) at Carlisle 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Nov.
