towards rear, ridden and chased leaders approaching 3 out, kept on one pace from next
tracked leaders, blundered 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened from next
led until 3rd and stayed prominent, hit 6th, ridden and weakened from 4 out
towards rear, ridden and chased leaders 3 out, kept on from next to go 2nd last, no chance with winner
mid-division, pulled up after 7th lame
mid-division, weakened from 7th and soon beaten
tracked leader, led 6th, ridden and kept clear approaching 3 out, kept on
towards rear, chased leaders approaching 3 out, soon ridden, no extra from next
behind and blundered 1st, ridden 3 out, no impression
always handy, led 3rd until 6th, ridden 3 out, weakened from last
CASTLETOWN BOY should strip much fitter for his recent seasonal debut at this venue. George Charlton's charge was impressive when landing a Cartmel novice hurdle at the end of May. Two miles around here on quick ground would not have been in his favour and the extra four furlongs will certainly suit. Numero Due did not appear suited by the very testing ground conditions at Hexham last time out. Night Force impressed when landing a weak looking maiden hurdle at Wetherby last time out. Inner Voice has a stiff task under his double penalty while he has a lot of ground to make up on Numero Due to he finished behind at Hexham recently. Pakineo Des Pictons didn't look to get home on his most recent start and market support for him would be significant but Castletown Boy is given the vote.
Inner Voice (USA) 11-1 (11-12) In touch, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out, 8th of 16, well behind Diamond Frontier (10-12) at Hexham 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Castletown Boy (IRE) 18-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon one pace, 5th of 10, 16l behind Amazing King (10-12) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gf in Nov.
Humourous (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Prominent, weakened approaching 3 out, 8th of 14, well behind Dzesmin (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Night Force 9-1 (11-0) In touch, led after 2 out, driven out, won at Wetherby 2m mdn hdl (5) frm in Oct beating Motafarred (11-0) by 1l, 17 ran.
Numero Due 12-1 (11-5) In touch, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on to go 2nd approaching last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 16, 12l behind Diamond Frontier (10-12) at Hexham 2m 4f nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Grand Union (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Never a threat, 6th of 15, 45l behind Doeslessthanme (11-0) at Kelso 2m nh mdn hdl (5) gs in Oct.
Luna Landing 11-1 (10-10) Mid-division, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened after next, 5th of 13, 11l behind First Point (11-5) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf in Oct.
Pakineo des Pictons (FR) 2-1 (10-12) Held up, headway when blundered 7th, chasing leaders next, outpaced before 2 out, soon beaten, 4th of 10, 33l behind Grand Theatre (10-12) at Kelso 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Scale Bank (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 16, 32l behind Smoke And Mirrors (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Jane of Arc (FR) 40-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, gradually weakened, 4th of 15, 12l behind Glencree (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gf in Nov.
