held up in rear, never a factor
tracked leaders, lost place 3 out
in touch, headway after 4 out, led 2 out, ran on strongly
pulled hard tracking leaders, ridden to challenge 2 out, stayed on same pace
mid-division, headway when mistake 3 out, weakened after next, fell last
prominent until lost place 6th
led, mistake 6th, driven when headed 2 out, kept on same pace
held up in rear, headway approaching 2 out, kept on, never nearer
held up towards rear, headway under pressure 3 out, chased leaders after next, weakened flat
held up in rear, headway halfway, chased leaders 6th, mistake 4 out, outpaced after next, kept on well closing stages
behind, headway to chase leaders 4 out, weakened after next
It will be interesting to see if there is any confidence behind the returning Orlittlebylittle. Ivanka has a shorter absence to overcome but also has plenty of weight while Markem looks harshly treated for what he's achieved. KING'S CHORISTER looked happier back over hurdles at Musselburgh last time and, though he needs to be held up for a late run, could surge past these on the run to the last. Willie Hall has won here in the past but Caught By Witness has been struggling in sellers and Bollin Julie has shown little sign of improvement. Neither has One In A Row, though Paddy Brennan's booking is a positive sign.
Ivanka (IRE) 16-1 (10-6) Soon tracked leaders, keen hold, 4th 3 out, struggling next, 3rd into straight and no impression, kept on, 3rd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Zabana (11-4) at Sligo 2m mdn hdl hvy in May.
Orlittlebylittle 4-1 (11-8) Made all, not fluent 4th, mistake 2 out, in command when stumbled last, ridden out, won at Bangor 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in May '12 beating Lucky Prince (10-11) by 3 1/2l, 11 ran.
Markem (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, jumped left 7th, weakened 2 out, 5th of 6, 23l behind Beauboreen (11-12) at Carlisle 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Nov.
Indigo Island (IRE) 33-1 (10-5) Chased leading pair, outpaced 3 out, weakened next, 5th of 6, 37l behind Vice Et Vertu (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec.
King's Chorister 14-1 (10-10) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, soon went 3rd, ridden before 2 out, soon outpaced, kept on, 4th of 8, 23l behind Luctor Emergo (11-10) at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Dec.
Desert Tommy 20-1 (10-8) Led, headed before 4 out, soon ridden, weakened next, 7th of 11, 28l behind Adili (10-0) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Dec.
Willie Hall 9-1 (11-4) Towards rear, effort 4 out, never dangerous, 7th of 18, 47l behind Snapping Turtle (11-6) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Dec.
Caught By Witness (IRE) 7-1 (10-5) Close up, hit 5th, ridden before 2 out, kept on one pace, 5th of 8, 3l behind Walter De La Mare (11-10) at Market Rasen 2m 1f sel hcp hdl (0-100) (5) sft in Dec.
One In A Row (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) In touch when field came into view after 1st, lost place when came into view again after 3 out, soon weakened, 9th of 10, well behind Heath Hunter (10-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Bollin Julie 12-1 (9-13) Behind, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 20l behind Honourable Gent (10-7) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Dec.
Politelysed 33-1 (10-9) Always towards rear, pulled up 3 out, in a race won by Snapping Turtle (11-6) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Dec, 18 ran.
