with leaders, went 2nd before 2 out, soon led, left clear last
with leader, reminders before 4 out, ridden and weakened before 2 out, weakened before last
held up mid-division, ridden and weakened before 2 out
led, headed before 2 out, well held in 4th when badly hampered and unseated rider last
held up towards rear, weakened after 3 out
always towards rear, tailed off before 3 out, pulled up before last
held up mid-division, headway before 2 out, chased winner before and staying on when fell last
always towards rear, tailed off before 3 out, pulled up before last
tracked leaders in 3rd, weakened from 2 out
Yorkist got off the mark over hurdles on his 10th attempt here 12 days ago but doesn't appeal as the type to follow up under a penalty, though Nathan Moscrop's claim wipes out the 7lb extra and he did finish a long way in front of Persian Peril that day. We prefer DARK DUNE who is making steady progress and only found one too good over this course and distance last month. Askamore Darsi made a winning start under Rules when landing a Uttoxeter bumper and is an obvious danger.
Yorkist (IRE) 7-2 (10-13) Led 1st, remained prominent, led again approaching 4th, headed 2 out, led again before last, stayed on strongly, won at Catterick 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec beating Fair Loch (11-6) by 4 1/2l, 10 ran.
Askamore Darsi (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Made all, pushed along over 4f out, ridden clear from over 1f out, stayed on well, won at Uttoxeter 2m NH flat (6) gs in Dec beating Relentless Dreamer (11-2) by 6l, 7 ran.
Danby's Legend 16-1 (10-12) Always in rear, 13th of 15, well behind Howaboutnow (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Dark Dune (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) Led, 5 lengths clear at halfway, hard driven when strongly challenged 2 out, headed last, no extra, 2nd of 9, 6l behind Aalim (10-7) at Catterick 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Nexius (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Mid-division, chased leaders after 3 out, soon outpaced, weakened next, tailed off, 10th of 14, well behind Forthefunofit (10-12) at Catterick 2m 3f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Pennine Josie 100-1 (10-11) Keen early, held up in last pair, outpaced 6f out, never dangerous, tailed off, 5th of 10, 38l behind Beatu (11-4) at Catterick 2m NH flat (6) gd in Dec.
El Massivo (IRE) 8-1 (9-2) Mid-division, short of room and hampered over 2f out, never near leaders, 10th of 12, 21l behind Lady Of Yue (8-7) at Pontefract 1m 4f 3yo hcp 0-70 (5) gd in Oct (flat).
Janaab (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Held up in rear, outpaced after 4 out, weakened next, pulled up before last, in a race won by Handiwork (11-5) at Wetherby 2m 3yo hdl (4) sft in Dec, 8 ran.
Khelac 25-1 (10-9) Held up behind, struggling 4 out, never on terms, weakened next, 6th of 8, well behind Handiwork (11-5) at Wetherby 2m 3yo hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Persian Peril 25-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway under pressure 3 out, soon no impression, 6th of 10, well behind Yorkist (10-13) at Catterick 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
