led to 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, mistake next, left 2nd last, one pace
tracked leaders, fell 4th
always towards rear, not fluent 5th, struggling from 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
always behind, struggling from 7th, tailed off from 4 out
mid-division, headway approaching 5th, ridden to lead 2 out, 2 lengths up when fell last
with leader, outpaced 6th, struggling from next, tailed off, pulled up before 3 out
held up, headway to chase leaders 4th, led 6th, ridden, headed 2 out, left in lead last, kept on
tracked leaders, went 2nd 4th, ridden, outpaced approaching 3 out, left 3rd last, one pace
held up mid-division, outpaced from 8th
soon tracking leaders, weakened from 7th
Longdale gets the vote here with Whaleef and Red Man the main dangers. The selection will be suited by this return to a faster surface and although he does have a habit of running the odd stinker, he should prove too good if he can run up to his best form. Whaleef is the obvious danger as he was well-backed when winning over this course and distance last time out. He is sure to strip fitter for that run, his first for 16 months, and he will be a danger to all. Red Man finished behind Sunday City last time and if that rival impresses in the previous race on this card then that would boost the claims of this 9-year-old. Humid Climate was disappointing last time and may be capable of better, but for the winner we will return to Longdale.
Red Man (IRE) 7-1 (10-9) Led to 3 out, ridden to chase winner approaching next, no impression when blundered last, 2nd of 16, 8l behind Sunday City (11-6) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Whaleef 9-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, led approaching 3 out, kept on well from last, won at Catterick 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd beating Waltzing Along (10-10) by 2l, 7 ran.
Longdale 11-4fav (11-2) Held up in touch, headway 3 out, ridden and kept on same pace from 2 out, 3rd of 8, 6l behind Silver Sedge (10-13) at Sedgefield 2m nov chs (4) sft.
Humid Climate 7-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, pushed along and lost place 9th, weakened next, 7th of 8, well behind Longdale (11-9) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-105 (E) sft in Dec.
Ton-Chee 8-1 (11-2) Led, ridden and headed after 2 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 8, 17l behind Silver Sedge (10-13) at Sedgefield 2m nov chs (4) sft.
Taipo Prince (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Held up in touch, mistake, lost place from 5th, 5th of 7, 25l behind Whaleef (11-12) at Catterick 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
Cedar Rapids (IRE) 17-2 (11-5) Held up, headway 5th, no impression from 3 out, 4th of 10, 30l behind The Duke's Speech (11-5) at Ayr 2m nh mdn hdl (4) sft.
Persian Point 14-1 (10-13) Always towards rear, 6th of 8, 19l behind Silver Sedge (10-13) at Sedgefield 2m nov chs (4) sft.
Drumossie (AUS) 10-1 (11-0) Always behind, 6th of 7, 26l behind Whaleef (11-12) at Catterick 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
Barneys Reflection 4-1 (10-2) Held up, some headway when mistake 7th, soon ridden, weakened 3 out, tailed off and pulled up 2 out in race won by Avadi (10-6) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-100 (F) hvy in Nov, 7 ran.
