led, headed approaching 5th, pushed along approaching 8th, weakened approaching 3 out
chased leaders, led after 10th, headed 2 out, no impression
in touch, blundered 5th, weakened approaching 3 out
held up, fell 9th
chased leaders, weakened 10th, pulled up before 3 out
held up, hit 3rd, never dangerous
always towards rear
held up mid-division, headway to chase leaders approaching 8th, no impression from 3 out
held up, outpaced when fell 6th
held up mid-division, headway 10th, led 2 out, kept on well
held up, hit 10th, headway 4 out, 3rd when blundered last
close up, led approaching 5th, headed after 10th, pulled up before 12th
Sound Of Cheers can take this ordinary handicap chase from Emperor's Monarch and Physical Force. The selection is 7lb better off with Emperor's Monarch for a two length beating over a similar trip at Sedgefield last time. Although he has never won on ground faster than good, he does act on a sound surface and is better suited than that rival. Physical Force has won on this ground, also at Sedgefield, but is now 9lb higher and the handicapper is not currently his friend. Hollows Mist is another suited by trip and ground but does struggle from this mark, so he is taken on, while Northern Quest went well behind Divex over c&d last time and is due to go up 7lb from tomorrow, so he will attract some interest from punters. Even so, Sound Of Cheers has enough going for him to get the vote here.
Physical Force 7-1 (11-4) Prominent, ridden 5 out, soon outpaced, 3rd of 7, 27l behind Ballito (10-0) at Musselburgh 3m cnd hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
Rash Moment (FR) 16-1 (11-9) Held up, progress 6th, steadied before 9th, headway 12th, mistake 16th, weakened 4 out, 6th of 8, 31l behind Dun Drinan (11-5) at Warwick 3m 2f cnd hcp chs 0-100 (4) gf in Nov.
Emperor's Monarch 4-1 (10-4) Always prominent, went 2nd 2 out, ridden to lead after last, stayed on, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs beating Sound Of Cheers (10-0) by 2l, 9 ran.
Yvanovitch (FR) 10-1 (10-0) Held up, ridden 10th, never on terms, 5th of 7, 31l behind Salhood (11-3) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf.
Emerald Destiny (IRE) 4-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, led 4th until 6th, led again next, headed 8th, soon ridden, weakened 4 out, last of 8, 49l behind Big Al (11-0) at Leicester 2m 4f chs 0-90 (5) gf.
Kerry's Blade (IRE) 5-1 (10-7) Towards rear, mistake 3rd, headway 7th, ridden and kept on same pace from 3 out, 5th of 8, 12l behind Stormy Beech (11-7) at Catterick 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
Mystic Glen 8-1 (11-3) Towards rear, outpaced 9th, no chance after, 4th of 9, 13l behind Ravenscar (10-10) at Market Rasen 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Nov.
Sound Of Cheers 3-1fav (10-0) Chased leaders, effort 4 out, ridden, outpaced 2 out, stayed on well under pressure flat, went 2nd near finish, 2nd of 9, 2l behind Emperor's Monarch (10-4) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs.
Hollows Mist 8-1 (10-0) Held up, outpaced 4 out, never on terms, 7th of 10, 45l behind Low Reactor (10-9) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs.
Northern Quest (IRE) 18-1 (10-11) Mid-division, headway under pressure before 3 out, chased leaders next, never able to challenge, 3rd of 14, 7l behind Divex (11-0) at Catterick 2m 3f mdn chs (5) gf.
Fairy Skin Maker (IRE) 11-2 (10-0) Held up mid-division, driven and effort after 4 out, outpaced next, 6th of 9, 21l behind Barton Sun (10-10) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Nov.
Red Dawn (IRE) 28-1 (9-11) Towards rear, never dangerous, 6th of 9, 39l behind Whatcanyasay (9-9) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd.
