raced keenly in mid-division, ridden and no progress before 3 out
led narrowly, joined 3 out, soon ridden and headed, gradually weakened
in rear, pushed along 2 out, stayed on one pace, never on terms
pressed leaders, pushed along and drifted right before 2 out, ridden and held before last, kept on one pace
chased leaders, pushed along after 4 out, dropped to rear and lost touch 3 out
towards rear, headway to chase leaders 3 out where bad mistake and unseated rider
tracked leaders, ridden before 3 out, weakened after 2 out
close up, disputed lead 3 out, soon led, pushed along and drew clear before last, ridden out run-in, readily
mid-division, slightly hampered by rival unseating after 3 out, soon pushed along, kept on and took 2nd close home, not trouble winner
HEADSCARF LIL (NAP) is consistent at this level and is happiest on quick ground. She came from a long way back to finish runner-up at Newcastle in November and should be ready for this. Could Be Trouble has generally raced at a slightly higher level and her rider's claim puts her on a fair mark but dual all-weather winner Galahad Threepwood is still a maiden over timber and looked a few pounds high at Wetherby. Fringill Dike completed a hat-trick in novice events at Hexham but has been well beaten in handicaps subsequently though at a higher level than this. Kajaki landed a Sedgefield handicap in September but never got close to the winner back there the following month.
Glentruan (IRE) 22-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, lost place after 3rd, mistake and well beaten 3 out, mistake 2 out, pulled up before last, at Cheltenham 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Could Be Trouble (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Midfield, chased leaders 5th, fell 9th, at Wetherby 2m 5f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
The Navigator 25-1 (12-0) Towards rear, pushed along and headway 4 out, ridden 2 out, kept on one pace, 3rd of 6, 17 1/4l behind El Muchacho (11-6) at Catterick 2m hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Fringill Dike (IRE) 10-3 (10-11) Handy, ridden before 2 out, soon dropped away, 5th of 6, 18 3/4l behind Filey Bay (10-10) at Doncaster 2m 1f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Ernesto (GER) 50-1 (11-9) Mid-division, nudged along 7th, pulled up 3 out, at Warwick 3m 2f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Galahad Threepwood 7-2 (11-12) Towards rear, took closer order before 3 out, kept on from 2 out, 4th of 14, 2 3/4l behind Dancewiththewind (11-11) at Wetherby 2m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Kajaki (IRE) 5-2 (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden after 2 out, plugged on but no match for easy winner, 2nd of 4, 14l behind Finisk River (11-10) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Good Bye (GER) 14-1 (11-7) Prominent, pushed along 3 out, chased leaders 2 out, ran on well inside final furlong, not reach front three, 4th of 13, 2 1/2l behind Gilbertina (11-4) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Headscarf Lil (IRE) 5-2fav (11-3) Held up, pushed along and outpaced approaching 3 out, stayed on strongly from last for 2nd, 2nd of 9, 4 3/4l behind Starlyte (11-5) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
