chased leader, weakened 3 out
held up in touch, behind from 4 out
soon chasing leaders, led 3 out, soon headed, weakened approaching last
held up in touch, led after 4 out, headed 3 out, weakened approaching next
chased leaders, ridden after 4 out, led approaching 2 out, kept on well under pressure from last
held up in rear, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up before last
held up, effort approaching 3 out, soon weakened
led, hit 4 out, soon headed, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
held up and keen, headway approaching 3 out, every chance last, hard ridden flat, no extra towards finish
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Sunday City has the ability but he is a risky prospect after how he signed off last season, and we will side with WEATHER FRONT ahead of Duke Of Touraine and Lazy Darren. The selection was a little disappointing last time at Cheltenham on the face of it, but he wasn't beaten all that far back in midfield. IT may prove to be that his handicap mark of 119 is too high, but if it isn't and he is happier back on this flatter track, then a big run should be on the cards. Charlie Crab has talent but his jumping needs touching up to say the least, Duke Of Touraine has been winning poorer races and this is the acid test, whilst stablemate Riquez Dancer has been rising up the handicap for holding his form so well. Amazing King was impressive when scoring in an uncompetitive handicap at Musselburgh and must be respected despite a whopping 16lb rise in the weights, however in a tricky finale it is Weather Front who can oblige.
Amazing King (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, led after 3 out, driven clear from approaching last, won at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Nov beating Regent's Secret (10-10) by 10l, 10 ran.
Sunday City (JPN) 7-1 (11-4) Held up mid-division, blundered 6th, lost place from next, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Nevertika (11-8) at Doncaster 2m 3f nov chs (3) gd in Jan, 11 ran.
Riguez Dancer 40-1 (10-7) Always prominent, effort approaching 2 out, ridden and kept on same pace approaching last, no impression, 2nd of 17, 4l behind Katies Tuitor (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-145 (2) gd in Sept.
Los Nadis (GER) 11-4fav (11-5) Mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, no impression, 6th of 10, 17l behind Amazing King (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Nov.
Charlie Crab 15-2 (11-7) Held up, pushed along 6th, never dangerous, 9th of 13, 28l behind Tension Point (10-4) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
Weather Front 10-1 (11-8) Led until after 1st, soon restrained in mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, effort after 2 out, weakened last, 8th of 19, 11l behind Sunnyhillboy (11-7) at Cheltenham 2m nov hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Pilca (FR) 12-1 (11-9) Raced keenly, tracked leader, challenged 5th, weakened 3 out, tailed off, 9th of 13, well behind Divine Gift (11-2) at Southwell 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Aug.
Greenbelt 100-1 (11-2) With leader, led approaching 2 out, headed approaching last, soon weakened, 7th of 18, 22l behind Issaquah (9-7) at Kelso 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Duke of Touraine (IRE) 1-2fav (11-5) Held up, steady headway 5th, led after 3 out, hit next, soon clear, eased run-in, won at Bangor 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) gs in Aug beating Persistent (10-9) by 20l, 9 ran.
Lazy Darren 14-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, challenged 2 out, soon ridden, one pace, 4th of 5, 8l behind Binocular (11-6) at Haydock 2m 4yo hdl (2) gd in Nov.
Gringo 20-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, headway after 3 out, led after 2 out, ridden and headed after last, no extra, 2nd of 14, 1 1/2l behind Take The Breeze (11-4) at Sandown 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Arctic Wings (IRE) 66-1 (10-4) Held up, keen, in rear when fell 4 out in race won by Crack Away Jack (11-7) at Chepstow 2m hcp hdl (2) gd in Oct, 12 ran.
