tracked leaders, led 2nd, weakening when headed 4 out
held up, chased leaders 5 out, went 3rd when hit 2 out, no impression
led to 2nd, tracked leader, not fluent 5th, weakened from 3 out
held up towards rear, headway approaching 4 weakened approaching 3 out
held up, headway 5 out, challenged next, led 3 out, driven out
disputing 4th when fell 4th
held up in rear, ridden 5th, weakened after 5 out
tracked leaders, went 2nd at 4th, led 4 out, headed next, no impression
Ela Re can only be a tentative choice here ahead of Dead Mans Dante, Mr Prickle and King Of The Arctic. Ela Re has risen up in the weights on the back of some fair efforts in the past, and now reverts to handicap company after being well beaten behind Percussionist over the course-and-distance last time. He finished a total of 46-lengths behind the winner, but a look at today's opponents reveals that most are either out of form at present or likely to be in need of the run. Dead Mans Dante is dropped back in trip after running out of steam behind Abragante at Haydock last time, while Mr Prickle, although a possible improver, has not been seen since April. King Of The Arctic was a beaten favourite over hurdles at Kelso last time, but has conditions to suit, so is one to consider, and of the rest, Stormy Beech at least lines up on the back of an all-the-way success at Sedgefield, but is upped in grade. This is not an event to get worked up about, with just a moderate vote going to Ela Re.
Ela Re 7-1 (11-6) With leader, led 2nd, headed 4 out, soon beaten, 3rd of 6, 46l behind Percussionist (11-6) at Wetherby 2m nov chs (4) sft in Oct.
King Of The Arctic (IRE) 5-1fav (11-2) Mid-division until weakened after 4 out, 10th of 12, 39l behind Classic Event (11-5) at Kelso 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Oct.
The Nomad 11-1 (11-8) Led, blundered badly 7th, headed after 8th, ridden and weakened 3 out, 6th of 10, 17l behind Fair Prospect (11-12) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (D) gs in Oct '05.
Dead Mans Dante (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, headway approaching 3 out, weakened approaching last, 6th of 8, 26l behind Abragante (11-1) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd.
Mr Prickle (IRE) 5-1fav (11-8) Towards rear, never dangerous, 8th of 12, 43l behind Little Flora (9-9) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Apr.
Nabir (FR) 3-1fav (10-9) Chased leaders, hit 5th, reminders 6th, ridden 8th, soon weakened, 6th of 7, 12l behind Jefertiti (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Oct.
Woodwish (FR) 25-1 (10-11) Held up, headway 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, 4th of 7, 36l behind Minella Tipperary (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nov hdl (4) sft in Oct.
Stormy Beech 5-1 (10-0) Made all, clear after 2 out, won at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd beating Persian Point (10-3) by 8l, 6 ran.
