tracked leaders in 3rd, challenged before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, led 2 out, pressed run-in, held on near finish
with leader, led 4 out, headed 2 out, weakened before last
in rear and in touch, weakened from 4 out, tailed off
led to 4 out, ridden to press winner from 2 out, every chance run-in, held near finish
Retrieve The Stick scored easily when encountering soft ground at Kelso last week. The Flaming Matron has also won in testing ground at Cartmel, though she's been well beaten since. Both of the above carry penalties which should give an advantage to CARRYBRIDGE. The latter ran well for third on her hurdling bow at Sedgefield in November and normal progress can see her off the mark in this. Fellow Irish raider Nosey Box makes more appeal than Beyondtemptation of the remaining pair.
Retrieve The Stick 9-4 (10-12) Tracked leader, led approaching 2 out, soon clear, hung left before last, easily, won at Kelso 2m mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Dec beating High Fair (10-5) by 19l, 4 ran.
The Flaming Matron (IRE) 9-2 (10-7) Tracked leader, pushed along 4th, lost place and ridden after 4 out, kept on under pressure approaching last, went 4th flat, no impression, 4th of 8, 13l behind Sparkling Hand (10-6) at Newcastle 2m (4) sft in Dec.
Beyondtemptation 33-1 (10-0) Always behind, tailed off before 3 out, 7th of 9, 44l behind Light The City (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in Dec.
Nosey Box (IRE) 33-1 (10-6) Towards rear, some progress into moderate 12th 3 out, kept on one pace straight, 7th of 18, 21l behind Man With Van (11-1) at Down Royal 2m 4f mdn hdl sft in Dec.
Carrybridge (IRE) 11-4 (10-6) Led 2f, tracked leader, led again 4f out, headed over 2f out, lost 2nd inside final furlong, no extra towards finish, 3rd of 11, 4 1/2l behind Mystical Dreamer (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 1f NH flat (6) sft in Nov.
