led and soon clear, hit 3 out, headed between last 2, no extra run-in
held up towards rear, headway 6th, tracked leader 3 out, led between last 2, ridden clear run-in
jumped poorly and always in rear
not fluent, chased leaders, weakened 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
raced wide throughout, held up towards rear, headway 6th, stayed on to take 3rd before last
mid-division, mistake and driven 3rd, soon lost touch, well behind when fell last
keen hold in mid-division, headway 7th, chased leaders 3 out, 4th and no chance when blundered last
tracked leader to 4th, blundered 7th and weakened next, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
keen hold, held up in rear, hit 5th, tailed off 7th, pulled up before 2 out
mostly tracked leader from 4th to 3 out, weakened quickly and pulled up before 2 out
behind, under pressure and driven 6th, soon tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
Although well beaten by the useful Oscar Park at Windsor, Dearson looks good enough to land this contest, with Royal Stardust, Arumun and Slick other shortlist material. Dearson has been given plenty of time by trainer Charlie Mann, who has been content to let the four-year-old find his feet in bumpers and over hurdles, and that latest outing was the first sign that he has a future in this sphere. He may not need to improve to win this, but there is surely scope for more anyway. Royal Stardust was held in some regard by Terry Mills, and he was pitched in at a more competitive level than this over hurdles by Gary Moore last time. This is easier, and we may start to see his true capabilities if handling the ground. Arumun tried to make all a Hexham last time, in the process showing he handles cut. Michael Scudamore continues to have winners, so he can't be ruled out if he can see out this longer trip. Of the others, Slick comes from a yard in great form and is definitely worth a word on his hurdling debut, having been outfaced by a big-field bumper at Cheltenham last month. Support for him would probably be significant, but we'll take Dearson to build no his Windsor run and score.
Arumun (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Led, soon clear, headed last, one pace, 2nd of 13, 5l behind Scotmail (11-0) at Hexham 2m nh nov hdl (D) gs in Nov.
Cornish Jester 66-1 (10-12) Prominent, driven approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out, 6th of 16, 11l behind Oscar Park (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nh nov hdl (E) gs in Oct.
Dearson (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, headway 7th, chased easy winner 3 out, no chance when hit last 2, 2nd of 9, 14l behind Oscar Park (11-5) at Windsor 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gd in Nov.
Missyl (FR) 10-1 (10-12) Towards rear, slightly hampered 3rd, weakened 5th, 11th of 17, 42l behind Sea The Light (10-12) at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (D) gs in Nov.
Mooresini (IRE) 8-1 (11-2) Mid-division, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace after, 6th of 16, 22l behind Kipsigis (11-2) at Fontwell 2m 4f mdn hdl (E) gs in Nov.
No Way Back (IRE) 33-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, shaken up after 3 out, kept on steadily from next, never near leaders, 7th of 16, 27l behind Mikado Melody (10-12) at Lingfield 2m nov hdl (E) sft in Oct.
Slick (FR) 12-1 (11-4) Held up, headway halfway, lost place 5f out, stayed on from over 2f out, never troubled leaders, 8th of 19, 17l behind Leading Contender (11-4) at Cheltenham 2m nhf lst (A) gs in Nov.
Men Of Destiny (IRE) 100-1 (10-5) In touch, driven along before 5th, went 3rd approaching 3 out, no danger, 3rd of 9, 18l behind Oscar Park (11-5) at Windsor 2m 4f nov hdl (E) gd in Nov.
