jumped left in rear, mistake 4th, well behind 9th, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, not fluent 5th, weakened before 2 out
held up in touch, ridden 12th, one pace and no impression before 2 out
mid-division on outside, lost place 5th, pushed along 8th, reminder after next, closed 10th, lost place before 14th, well beaten 4 out
tracked leaders, challenged 10th, mistake 13th, led after 3 out, headed last, lost 2nd and one pace flat
mid-division, blundered and lost place 12th, well beaten from 14th
tracked leader, not fluent 3rd, led before 10th, headed after 3 out, stayed on from last, went 2nd flat, unable to trouble winner
held up in rear, not fluent 5th or 7th, mistake 11th, headway before 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, led last, stayed on
held up, closed after 2nd, hit 14th, soon lost place, hampered 4 out, well beaten next
led, headed before 10th, still close 3rd when fell 4 out
held up in rear, struggling when mistake 10th, behind when pulled up before 14th
Landmeafortune showed his liking for testing conditions with a comprehensive victory at Ayr though he's up 8lb and this is a slightly stronger contest. Dick Darsie, a winner between the flags, is tackling this trip for the first time over regulation fences and should be suited but Smuggler's Stash couldn't handle an 8lb rise for his Hexham victory when sent to Wetherby on Boxing Day. CELTIC TUNE produced easily his best run to date when getting a test of stamina over hurdles at Hereford. He's bred for the Flat but looks a chaser in the making and starts off from a low enough mark to get the vote. Finaghy Ayr showed nothing in four starts over fences but has improved over hurdles so should be capable of better. Major Ridge had shown only moderate form before landing a Class 5 handicap at Catterick for which he's been raised 9lb.
Too Many Chiefs (IRE) 22-1 (10-11) Always behind, 6th of 11, dist behind Angus Milan (11-6) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Dick Darsie (IRE) 11-2 (10-9) Mid-division, ridden 2 out, kept on from last, no impression, 5th of 8, 2 3/4l behind Rowdy Rocher (11-10) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp (4) hvy in Jan.
Smuggler's Stash (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Prominent, led 4th until 11th, lost place after 15th, well beaten after, mistake 3 out, 5th of 16, 21 3/4l behind Bankhall (10-13) at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Mahler Lad (IRE) 9-4 (11-11) Pressed leader until led 8th, ridden and headed 4 out, weakened quickly after next, 3rd of 5, dist behind Moorstown (10-10) at Bangor 3m hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Celtic Tune (FR) 12-1 (11-10) Mid-division, headway 4 out, 2nd after 2 out, no chance with winner, stayed on same pace, 2nd of 14, 5l behind Late Shipment (11-0) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp (5) gs in Jan.
Orioninverness (IRE) 50-1 (11-6) Always behind, tailed off 5 out, 4th of 7, dist behind Billy Bronco (11-6) at Ayr 3m mdn (5) hvy in Jan.
Landmeafortune (IRE) 13-2 (11-6) Led, clear from 9th, stayed on well from 2 out, won at Ayr 3m hcp (5) hvy in Jan beating Alfred Oats (10-12) by 5l, 10 ran.
Finaghy Ayr (IRE) 5-1 (11-2) In rear, headway on outer to go prominent soon after 2nd, led 8th, joined 3 out, ridden 3 lengths clear 2 out, driven and all out, won at Carlisle 3m 1f hcp (4) hvy in Nov beating Stickleback (10-9) by 4 1/2l, 8 ran.
Shy (CZE) 25-1 (11-1) Tracked leader, pushed along 5 out, soon outpaced, 6th of 9, 15 1/2l behind Danceintothelight (11-12) at Musselburgh 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Jan.
Major Ridge (IRE) 7-1 (10-4) Led until 3rd, led 10th, stayed on flat, clear towards finish, won at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (5) gs in Jan beating Suzy's Music (11-3) by 2 3/4l, 12 ran.
Red Story 9-2fav (10-10) Mid-division, fell 1st, at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Jan.
