in touch, lost place 11th, behind when blundered 5 out, pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, early reminders, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up after 9th
tracked leaders, mistake 2nd, weakened 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
disputed lead to 10th, and again 12th, mistake 5 out, every chance 2 out, weakened approaching last
towards rear, reminders after 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, joined leader 10th, blundered next, soon weakened
made most until 2 out, kept on under pressure from last, just held
in rear, smooth headway 12th, ridden to lead 2 out, held on well towards finish
In an open race, Undeniable, Strong Resolve, Ebony Light and Grattan Lodge make up the shortlist here, with a slight preference for Lucinda Russell's Strong Resolve. The selection won very easily last time out at Haydock after a promising second the time before at this track, and he may be able to stretch the field from the front. The Donald McCain-trained Ebony Light is not getting any younger, but he will definitely benefit from his last run returning from a break and he will be one staying on at the business end of things. Undeniable will love the testing conditions, and whilst he will have to carry a big weight, he does have the services of able claimer Tjade Collier and so should go close. Grattan Lodge has an excellent record around this track with five victories already to his name and coupled with his trainer's excellent course record, he must also enter calculations. However, the very tentative selection is Strong Resolve in the hope that he can take this race on his way to a tilt at his long-term target, the Scottish Grand National.
Undeniable 6-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, challenging and every chance 2 out, gradually weakened from next, 2nd of 15, 5l behind King Barry (11-3) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-140 (2) gf in Jun.
Ebony Light (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Led to after 4 out, soon ridden, weakened approaching 3 out, 5th of 9, 19l behind Tanterari (10-1) at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-140 (2) sft in Oct.
Grattan Lodge (IRE) 14-1 (11-6) Led to 2nd, remained in touch, challenged 3 out, ridden and no impression when hit last, kept on flat, 3rd of 16, 8l behind Twelve Paces (10-5) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Oct.
Strong Resolve (IRE) 5-2fav (11-11) Made all, clear 2 out, easily, won at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Oct beating Russian Sky (11-6) by 11l, 9 ran.
Clemax (IRE) 6-1 (10-5) Mid-division, headway 9th, ridden and effort after 4 out, weakened from next, 7th of 16, 29l behind Twelve Paces (10-5) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Oct.
Russian Sky 10-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, hit 7th,, ridden to chase winner after 3 out, no chance, 2nd of 9, 11l behind Strong Resolve (11-11) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Oct.
Huka Lodge (IRE) 33-1 (11-4) Behind when pulled up at the 7th in race won by Rosie Redman (11-9) at Kelso 3m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Apr, 15 ran.
Dolmur (IRE) 33-1 (10-3) Held up in touch, badly hampered and lost place 9th, behind after, tailed off when jumped very slowly and pulled up 3 out in race won by Ardaghey (11-9) at Cheltenham 3m amt hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Oct, 12 ran.
