always behind, tailed off after 3rd
mid-division, jumped right 2nd, hit 6th, effort after 3 out, hit 2 out, weakened approaching last
towards rear, ridden after 3rd, jumped slowly next, stayed on from 2 out, 7th last, went 4th close home, nearest finish
in touch in mid-division, closed 9th, hit 2 out, stayed on same pace
took keen hold, led until 2nd, led approaching 4th, hit 8th, headed after 3 out, soon beaten
in touch in mid-division, lost place before 4th, no impression after
prominent, led 2nd, headed approaching 4th, tracked leader until 9th, weakened 2 out
held up towards rear, some headway after 9th, mistake 3 out, soon weakened
towards rear, not fluent 6th, mistake 9th, soon struggling, pulled up before last
tracked leaders, went 2nd 9th, led after 3 out, headed last, no chance with winner
held up towards rear, blundered badly 7th, not fluent next, headway 9th, went 2nd after 2 out, led last, pushed clear
took keen hold, held up, headway 9th, went 3rd after 3 out, not fluent last, stayed on same pace
mid-division on outside, headway after 8th, weakened after 3 out
prominent, jumped big 3rd, lost place 3 out
prominent, not fluent 4th, stayed on same pace approaching 2 out
mid-division, lost place 8th, towards rear after
held up in rear, mistakes 1st, 3rd and 9th, headway 3 out, stayed on same pace after 2 out
towards rear, struggling before 3 out
This looks a potential nightmare for punters with many of the riders lacking race experience. One exception is Josh Guerriero, who should get a good tune out of NEMETAN. The 10-year-old is probably still on a decent mark and will be fancied to recoup losses incurred when only third to Sir Kezbaah at Exeter earlier this month. Delightfully returned to winning ways over this trip at Hexham last month while Euro American would have a chance on his best form, though was tailed off over fences at Ayr last time. The handicapper seems to have Samizdat in his grip now but Ocarina could easily play a part and Backstruther looked a progressive novice in the autumn, though hasn't raced since scoring at Musselburgh in November. Hoar Frost may be the pick of the remainder if staying this longer trip.
Shardakhan (IRE) 25-1 (10-4) Disputed 3rd until ridden 6th, outpaced before 3 out, last of 4, 37l behind Laustra Bad (11-7) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gf.
Nemetan (FR) 10-3fav (9-10) Pressed leader, led after 4 out to next, soon ridden and no chance with winner, edged left and lost 2nd flat, 3rd of 10, 15l behind Sir Kezbaah (11-8) at Exeter 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd.
Delightfully (FR) 13-8fav (11-5) Held up in last, jumped slowly 4 out, headway to chase leader after 3 out, ridden 2 out, led approaching last, stayed on flat, won at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Mar beating Beau Peak (9-4) by 9l, 6 ran.
River Music (IRE) 33-1 (11-0) Held up, headway after 2nd, went 2nd 7th, led after 3 out, headed after next, held by winner final 100 yards, one pace, 2nd of 10, 8l behind Mr Supreme (11-0) at Hexham 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gd.
Ocarina (FR) 12-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, headway and reminders 6th, hit 8th, well held by leaders before last, went 4th close home, 4th of 11, 11l behind Harry Flashman (11-6) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Forcefield 25-1 (9-9) Held up towards rear, pushed along after 6th, soon struggling, 9th of 13, 36l behind Aibrean (11-11) at Ayr 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
Seven Is Lucky (IRE) 16-1 (9-9) Mid-division on outer, chased leaders 4th, challenged 3 out, ridden and every chance before last, one pace, 3rd of 13, 5l behind Aibrean (11-11) at Ayr 3m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
Top Brass (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Held up in touch, chased leaders 5th, reminders before 4 out, soon weakened, 9th of 15, well behind Lisdonagh House (10-3) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs.
Euro American (GER) 6-1 (11-11) Held up 5th and last in touch, left 4th at 10th, ridden 5 out, went moderate 3rd next, soon no chance with leading pair and weakened, lost 3rd 2 out, tailed off, 4th of 5, well behind Sammy Spiderman (10-1) at Ayr 3m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Mar.
Banoge (IRE) 9-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway before 5th to chase leaders, ridden and switched right approaching last, soon every chance, weakened run-in, 3rd of 9, 6l behind Against The Wind (11-11) at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft in Mar.
Oscar's Ballad (IRE) 12-1 (11-0) Mid-division, headway into 6th approaching 4 out, moderate 4th before 2 out, kept on under pressure to go 3rd run-in, not reach leaders, 3rd of 20, 6l behind Get In There (11-7) at Down Royal 2m 4f cond hcp hdl 80-95 hvy in Mar.
Below The Deck (IRE) 22-1 (10-4) Tracked leaders, ridden to challenge after 2 out, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 13, 2 3/4l behind Attaglance (11-3) at Hexham 2m nh nov hdl (4) gs in Mar.
King Benny (IRE) 7-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders on inner, weakened from 8th, 10th of 11, well behind Moufatango (11-4) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gd.
Samizdat (FR) 3-1 (10-5) Held up, jumped right 2nd, outpaced 5th, jumped badly right 2 out, 4th of 5, 26l behind Carrietau (11-10) at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Buckstruther (IRE) 17-2 (10-10) Led until approaching 2nd, prominent, led 3 out, pressed after, ridden 2 out, stayed on well, in command towards finish, won at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Nov beating Grand Art (11-6) by 1 3/4l, 10 ran.
Hoar Frost 18-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, lost place before 4th, outpaced 6th, headway before 2 out, kept on from last, 2nd of 14, 3/4l behind Classic Henri (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf.
Dickie Henderhoop (IRE) 16-1 (9-11) Held up in rear, headway before 3 out, kept on to take 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 12, 4l behind Texas Holdem (11-7) at Carlisle 2m 4f cond hcp hdl 0-1115 (4) sft in Mar.
I'm Your Man 18-1 (11-4) Chased leader, led after 3rd, headed before 6th, led again after 3 out, ridden and headed before last, kept on same pace, 5th of 14, 5l behind Classic Henri (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf.
