mid-division, headway from 4 out to lead and hit 2 out, soon ridden, hit last, driven out
held up towards rear, ridden 3 out, no impression
in touch, every chance approaching 3 out, ridden and soon weakened
tracked clear leader, led after 4 out, ridden 3 out, headed approaching next, soon weakened
in touch until ridden and weakened 3 out
always behind
raced keenly, led and soon clear, 20 lengths clear 4 out, weakened quickly and headed, soon beaten
always towards rear
mid-division, smooth headway and close up 3 out, soon ridden, kept on flat
towards rear, smooth headway to chase leaders when blundered 3 out, ridden and bumped next, one pace after
mid-division, smooth headway and every chance 3 out, weakening when veered badly right 2 out
mid-division, smooth headway and every chance 3 out, ridden and soon weakened
Calcutta Cup just did enough when successful at Catterick last month but is likely to find this tougher under his penalty and preference is for CASUAL AFFAIR, who gets the vote over Bajan Pride. Richard Fahey's gelding has yet to translate his flat form to hurdles but has shown promise in both starts so far and he has to be respected. Newcastle maiden winner Twilight Dawn now makes his hurdling debut for Len Lungo and he makes more appeal than another newcomer, Alan Swinbank's Capped For Victory, who seemingly lost his way on the level. The four-year-old Commit To Memory has shown some promise in both starts over timber and he has to be considered but preference is for Casual Affair. Sue Bradburne's gelding was useful on the flat and made a promising debut over timber here last month, form on which he looks the one to be on here.
Calcutta Cup (UAE) 4-1fav (11-6) Raced keenly in touch, headway 3 out, joined leader next, led and 2 lengths clear when blundered last, soon ridden, just held on, won at Catterick 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec beating Burnswood (11-6) by a hd, 14 ran.
Bajan Pride 16-1 (10-9) Behind, outpaced throughout, never dangerous, 6th of 12, 22l behind Fortunate Isle (10-12) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Capped For Victory (USA) 9-1 (8-9) Mid-division, ridden well over 2f out, outpaced, 6th of 13, 14l behind Mrs Bun (9-0) at Southwell 1m hcp (6) fbs (Flat).
Casual Affair 12-1 (11-0) Led and not fluent, hit 5th and 6th, ridden 3 out, headed when hit next, soon one pace, 2nd of 6, 6l behind Red Moloney (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m hdl (3) gd in Dec.
Masterofceremonies 10-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway after 3 out, ridden to chase leaders next, no impression approaching last, 6th of 14, 29l behind Calcutta Cup (11-6) at Catterick 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Overlaw 100-1 (10-11) Mid-division, ridden approaching 4 out, gradually weakened, 9th of 14, well behind Fortysecond Street (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gd in Dec.
Sir Douglas 200-1 (11-3) Keen and soon chasing leader, weakened 5th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Surprise Pension (11-6) at Catterick 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Dec, 16 ran.
Spare Days 4-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, mistake 5th, weakening when blundered 2 out, 5th of 11, 24l behind Titfer (10-7) at Doncaster 2m sll hdl (5) gd in Dec.
I'm Delilah 33-1 (10-10) Held up, headway 4 out, ridden and no impression from next, 7th of 14, 28l behind Circus Rose (10-11) at Huntingdon 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (3) gs in Dec.
Twilight Dawn 20-1 (9-12) Behind, outpaced over 3f out, soon lost touch, last of 12, 47l behind Flying Valentino (9-7) at Pontefract 1m fll hcp (5) gd in Jun (Flat).
Commit To Memory 12-1 (10-9) Tracked leaders, 4th when bad mistake 6 out and lost place, headway from 3 out, ridden in 6th entering straight, kept on, 4th of 17, 7l behind Air Chief (11-0) at Limerick 2m 3yo mdn hdl sft in Dec.
Fujin Dancer (FR) 12-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, hit 2nd, weakened approaching 6th and pulled up at the last in race won by Mr Thriller (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f 3yo mdn hdl (4) hvy in Nov, 6 ran.
