made most until headed before 3 out, weakened well before next
mid-division, dropped to rear after 4th, rallied before 10th, soon chasing leaders, led approaching 3 out, headed under pressure on long run to 2 out, no impression when lost 2nd after last
held up in rear, tailed off when blundered 11th, pulled up before next
chased leaders, mistake 5th, blundered next, driven along 10th, well behind when blundered 12th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
always in rear, ridden and struggling after 9th, tailed off
chased leaders, mistake 2 out, hit last, went 2nd after last, no chance with winner
pressed leader, not fluent 4th, weakened before 10th, tailed off
held up towards rear, mistake 2nd, headway to chase leaders from 9th, blundered and weakened 10th, tailed off
chased leaders, went 2nd before 10th, jumped right 3 out, soon challenging going well, led on long run to 2 out, clear before last, kept on strongly
Nonrunner
A good competitive race for the grade where few are dismissed out of hand but CRANK HILL looks capable of going close and is preferred to More The Merrier and Lavenoak Lad. The selection has had just the one start this year over an inadequate trip but that outing should have helped to blow away the cobwebs. His modest strike rate is a concern as is the rise in the weights that he received for his maiden success in April but he's suited by this sort of test. He's got a hundred per cent record in cheekpieces which are being employed today as is the jockey who was on board when he won which all bodes well for his chances. Lavenoak Lad's suspect jumping was put under pressure by a fast pace last time but they're unlikely to go as fast. There was plenty to like about the way that he stuck to his task and having less weight on his back should suit as he's not the biggest. More The Merrier has shown enough to think that he can be a player in this type of contest whilst Fourpointone was bang in contention when falling at Market Rasen and is able to race from the same mark. Deep Pockets has proved to be relatively progressive and remains fairly treated on a mark just 2lbs higher than that from which he scored over hurdles here last month. Those are just a handful of those with claims but we're hopeful that Crank Hill can finish in the money.
Gershwinner (IRE) 7-2fav (11-7) Led to 8th, tracked leader, led again 11th, headed when hampered by loose horse before 13th, outpaced 2 out, weakened flat, 6th of 10, 26l behind Waterski (10-4) at Kelso 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
Crank Hill 11-1 (10-5) Always behind, 8th of 12, 35l behind Pavillon Bleu (11-12) at Exeter 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
Deep Pockets (IRE) 6-1 (10-3) Made all, ridden approaching last, hard pressed flat, kept on, joined post, won at Taunton 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (3) sft in Dec deadheating with Thedeboftheyear (11-3), 11 ran.
More The Merrier (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Chased clear leader, closing and challenging when left in lead 3 out, headed on long run to 2 out, soon no chance with ready winner, 2nd of 13, 10l behind Ultimate Limit (11-9) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Lavenoak Lad 4-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, pushed along after 8th, ridden and one pace before 2 out, poor 3rd when blundered last, 3rd of 13, 18l behind Ultimate Limit (11-9) at Taunton 2m 7f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Maori Legend 16-1 (10-1) Mid-division, ridden and outpaced 16th, no danger after, 4th of 13, 28l behind Fine By Me (9-12) at Wincanton 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Fourpointone 9-4fav (10-11) Disputed lead, driven to challenge after 4 out, upsides, every chance when fell next, in a race won by Tank Buster (11-9) at Market Rasen 3m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Dec, 6 ran.
Fakima (IRE) 9-1 (10-5) Held up in touch, weakened 12th, pulled up after, in a race won by Sycho Fred (10-1) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Dec, 10 ran.
Wizard of Edge 20-1 (9-13) Chased leader to 3rd, dropped rear after 6th, pushed along 12th, rallied next, went poor 3rd after 15th, 3rd of 7, 22l behind Western Whisky (10-7) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Its A Classic 8-1 (10-13) Held up in rear, reminder after 10th, stayed on flat, never dangerous, 5th of 8, 11l behind Pontiff (10-10) at Warwick 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.
