prominent, ridden after 5 out, kept on one pace from next
mid-division, ridden 4 out and weakened from 2 out
towards rear, hit 6th and 7th and soon beaten
mid-division, ridden after 5 out and soon beaten
always towards rear, ridden after 5 out, soon beaten
tracked leaders, smooth headway to lead 6th, ridden 3 out, headed next, one pace after
mid-division, smooth headway and every chance when blundered 4 out, soon ridden, kept on to lead 2 out, driven out
led until headed 6th, ridden after 5 out, and soon beaten
mid-division, ridden 7th and soon beaten
always behind
MOOR SPIRIT is given the tentative vote to gain victory in this competitive handicap chase with both Or de Grugy and Categorical worth noting. The selection is three pounds higher since catching the eye over course and distance when finishing second to Beggers Cap. He jumped well on the whole and clearly likes a sound surface. With conditions once again in his favour he has to go well. Or de Grugy is another that goes better on good ground. He has some course form to his name and ran well here last time out when third to To Silver Bullet so he warrants respect. As does Categorical who is always consistent and should be in the shake up once again. But for the winner we return to Moor Spirit.
Or de Grugy (FR) 11-2 (11-12) Tracked winner, blundered 2nd, ridden approaching 4 out, weakened from after 2 out, 3rd of 7, 16l behind Go Silver Bullet (11-2) at Musselburgh 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Pilca (FR) 8-1 (10-6) Held up, effort approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 9, 42l behind Charlie Crab (11-3) at Doncaster 2m hcp hdl 0-145 (2) sft.
Parsou (FR) 33-1 (11-6) Always behind, 9th of 15, 45l behind Nodform William (11-8) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Oct.
Moor Spirit 4-1 (10-7) Held up in touch, ridden 3 out, headway to lead next, headed and kept on one pace flat, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Beggars Cap (11-10) at Musselburgh 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Nov.
Master Papa (IRE) 40-1 (10-10) Towards rear and mistakes, headway when blundered 11th, soon weakened, 10th of 14, 34l behind Milan Deux Mille (11-5) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Feb '07.
Categorical 15-2 (10-10) Tracked leaders, effort 2 out, one pace from last, 4th of 16, 2 1/2l behind Stagecoach Opal (10-12) at Doncaster 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd.
Watch My Back 9-2fav (11-12) Mid-division, chased leaders 3 out, weakening when blundered last, 5th of 13, 21l behind Whatcanyasay (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft.
Colliers Court 14-1 (11-7) Led, headed 5th, reminders after 6th, soon lost place, no chance when pulled up 2 out in race won by Country Escape (11-9) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Aug, 7 ran.
Royal Glen (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Held up in rear, headway and brief effort approaching 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 11, 37l behind Duke of Malfi (11-3) at Hexham 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Nov.
Mystic Glen 11-2 (10-0) Prominent, ridden 4 out, weakening when brought down 2 out in race won by Go Silver Bullet (11-2) at Musselburgh 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd, 7 ran.
