Roc De Prince didn't beat much at Aintree last June and weakened quickly over this course and distance on his reappearance. He'll struggle to give the weight to the four-year-old Certification, third at Newbury last month, and ZIP WIRE. The latter will need to jump better than he did at Catterick to get off the mark here but that can almost be taken for granted and he was unlucky not to win over middle-distances on the Flat in Ireland last year. Island Heights won a point-to-point in Ireland in October but may be best watched on his debut under Rules.
Roc De Prince 7-2fav (11-5) Led, ridden and hit 2 out, headed before last, soon weakened, 7th of 14, 20l behind Tough Trade (10-12) at Kelso 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Allforthelove 50-1 (10-7) With leader until ridden approaching 2 out, no extra before last, 6th of 10, 16l behind Masterleaderman (11-0) at Kelso 2m 6f NH mdn hdl (5) sft in Dec.
Ever Fortune (USA) 16-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, headway into mid-division 4 out, kept on same pace, weakened last, 9th of 13, 47l behind Secrete Stream (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Hydrant 100-1 (10-12) Not fluent, in touch, raced keenly, weakened 3 out, 8th of 10, well behind Monsieur Jourdain (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (4) sft in Nov '09.
Island Heights (IRE) 5-2 (11-9) Trkd ldrs in 3rd, v b mstk 3out, eff jn ldr 2out, nrwly hdd after 2out, eff to jn ldr last, all out to ld at line, won at Tinahely 3m ire ptp gd in Oct beating Shanty Town (11-9) by hd, 7 ran.
Oorayvic (IRE) 66-1 (10-7) In touch on outside, lost place 5th, behind when mistake 4 out, tailed off when mistake 2 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Secrete Stream (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec, 13 ran.
Ruberslaw 50-1 (11-0) Held up, jumped left 3rd, behind when mistake 8th, tailed off from next, last of 10, well behind Masterleaderman (11-0) at Kelso 2m 6f NH mdn hdl (5) sft in Dec.
Zip Wire (IRE) 9-4 (11-6) Mid-division, slow 2nd, headway 3 out, chasing leaders when hung left next, soon no impression, 4th of 9, 12l behind Aalim (10-7) at Catterick 2m mdn hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Certification (IRE) 8-1 (10-12) Took keen hold, held up in mid-division, hit 4th, headway approaching 3 out, chasing leaders and every chance when not fluent 2 out, went 3rd last, one pace when carried head high and hung right flat, 3rd of 14, 10l behind Dawalan (10-12) at Newbury 2m 3yo hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Bishops Gate (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, hit 9th, outpaced 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Blakemount (11-5) at Newcastle 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Dec, 7 ran.
Vision De La Vie (FR) 9-2 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden over 3f out, kept on same pace final 2f, never troubled leaders, 7th of 12, 15l behind Starplex (10-5) at Newcastle 1m 6f n h flat 3yo (6) sft in Dec.
