in touch, led 5 out, clear going to 2 out
led after 1st, headed 5th, chased leaders, hit 6th, weakened from 5 out, pulled up before 3 out
held up mid-division, reminders after 5th, soon struggling
mid-division, weakened 6 out, pulled up before 4 outp=
towards rear, effort after 5th, soon weakened, pulled up before 4 out
always towards rear, pulled up before 4 out
soon close up, led 7th, headed 5 out, weakened last
behind, headway when blundered 5 out, weakened next
towards rear, last when fell 4th
in touch, chased winner approaching 4 out, no impression
behind, struggling halfway, pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, ridden 5th, went 3rd last, no impression
always towards rear
led to 1st, led again 5th, headed 7th, weakened next, pulled up before 3 out
held up, fell 7th
WATCH MY BACK may be able to maintain his progression in this open contest, Sebastiano is one with outside claims with Rathmulen and Berings Express two worth taking on at shorter odds. Watch My Back has saved his best form for racing on top of the ground which has to be a slight worry with rain about but we're prepared to give him the benefit of the doubt. He's also a good bit higher in the weights following his win at Musselburgh but is relatively unexposed and could cope. Rathmulen responded to cheekpieces to win well at Newbury but enjoyed the run of the race in an uncompetitive contest. Berings Express is another that we're happy to take on as he has flattered to deceive more often than not although the good form of his yard is a plus point. Pinpointing the winner is more difficult but Almaydan and Sebastiano are two of the more interesting runners. The former is reaching the veteran stage of his career but is still capable and not badly treated whilst the latter has yet to deliver over fences but is unexposed for his current yard in this discipline and has the ability to go close but Watch My Back is the suggestion.
Almaydan 7-1 (11-12) In touch, weakened 4 out, 6th of 8, well behind Good Company (11-4) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
Laoch Dubh (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Led and set good pace, hit 5th, ridden and headed 2 out, weakening when mistake last, 8th of 13, 20l behind Master Medic (11-5) at Ascot 2m 1f hcp chs 0-140 (2) gs in Dec.
Coach Lane 7-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, every chance 4 out, weakened approaching last, 3rd of 8, 18l behind Good Company (11-4) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
Orpen Wide (IRE) 33-1 (11-3) Led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, driven and one pace after, 4th of 13, 21l behind Oldrik (10-8) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
Some Touch (IRE) 4-1 (11-11) Held up, not fluent 5th, weakened from 8th, 4th of 8, 33l behind Kilmackilloge (11-11) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Berings Express (FR) 15-2 (11-8) Held up, headway to chase leaders from 10th, hit 4 out, left with every chance when winner jumped violently left last 3, stayed on same pace run-in, 3rd of 9, 1 1/2l behind Pressgang (11-12) at Kempton 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in De.
Arumun (IRE) 40-1 (10-4) Chased leaders until 9th, weakened 4 out, 8th of 12, 36l behind Herecomesthetruth (11-5) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Dec.
Wot Way Chief 14-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway 7th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 16, 25l behind Saunders Road (10-12) at Cheltenham 2m 5f cnd hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
King Mak 25-1 (11-9) Prominent, blundered 5th, led 8th, ridden and headed 4 out, beaten when blundered badly 2 out, 8th of 9, 32l behind Ellerslie George (11-9) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Polar Gunner 9-4jt-fav (10-2) Chased leader, led 4 out, headed next, weakened after 2 out, 4th of 8, 20l behind Good Company (11-4) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
Loch Oscaig 12-1 (10-11) Held up in rear, weakened 4 out, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Good Company (11-4) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Dec, 8 ran.
Daldini 13-2 (9-11) Held up mid-division, hit 1st, pushed along approaching 9th, ridden after 5 out, kept on from 3 out, 4th of 9, 20l behind Santa's Son (11-6) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs (2) sft in Dec.
Sebastiano (FR) 8-1 (11-5) Towards rear, jumped left 4th, ridden 13th, soon held and mistake last, 4th of 10, 29l behind Dream Falcon (9-12) at Ludlow 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Dec.
Rathmulen (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Made all, strongly pressed from 4 out, ridden and stayed on well, kept on well flat, won at Newbury 2m 2f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft beating Russian Flag (10-11) by 3 1/2l, 8 ran.
All For The Cause (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Mid-division, good headway 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, kept on approaching last, ridden and no extra flat, 3rd of 16, 2 1/2l behind Sa Suffit (11-0) at Catterick 2m 3f beg chs (4) gs.
Watch My Back 7-2fav (11-2) Mid-division, smooth headway and every chance when blundered 4 out, soon ridden, kept on to lead 2 out, driven out, won at Musselburgh 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Dec beating Categorical (11-2) by 2l, 10 ran.
