mid-division, lost place from 6th, fell next
pulled hard, held up, headway after 8th, led last, stayed on well
led to 6th, ridden to lead again 3 out, headed last, no chance with winner
held up mid-division, ridden and every chance 3 out until one pace last
in touch, weakened from 6th, pulled up before 3 out, tailed off
in rear, some headway 4 out, never on terms
mid-division, weakened 4 out
behind, struggling halfway
prominent, outpaced 4 out, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
chased leader, ridden and every chance approaching 3 out, soon outpaced
led from 6th, headed 3 out, mistake when weakening 2 out
in touch, blundered 2nd, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up after 6th
Another tough race to call here for punters with very little between many of the leading lights but the principals look to be Hills Of Aran, Mr Preacher Man and Banoge with the vote given to Hills Of Aran. The selection won well last time out when beating Pimbury with plenty in hand, he looks sure to improve again for this longer trip and he will be hard to beat. Banoge rates the main danger as he was a fair second behind Harry Wood in a bumper when last seen. He looks sure to improve again for this longer trip and switch to hurdles and he should be watched in the market. Mr Preacher Man is another that could go well. He beat General Ledger last time out but this looks more competitive and he looks vulnerable under his penalty. Professor Higgins is a winner of s flat race and should be watched in the market with his shrewd yard in form. Of the others Obaki de Grissay is game and consistent and is sure to run his race but he looks exposed and with this in mind Hills Of Aran is our idea of the winner.
Sadler's Cove (FR) 14-1 (11-2) Always behind, 5th of 14, 31l behind Willie The Fish (10-6) at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Oct.
Hills Of Aran 15-8 (10-12) In touch, ridden and headway to chase leaders approaching 2 out, led soon after, quickened clear last, easily, won at Wincanton 2m 6f nov hdl (4) gd in Oct beating Pimbury (10-12) by 8l, 10 ran.
Mr Preacher Man 9-4jt-fav (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden to lead 2 out, kept on well, won at Carlisle 3m 1f mdn hdl (5) gd in Oct beating General Ledger (11-0) by 7l, 13 ran.
Banoge (IRE) 7-1 (11-4) Chased leaders, chased winner over 1f out, no impression, 2nd of 10, 9l behind Harry Wood (11-4) at Carlisle 2m 1f nhf (6) hvy in Mar.
Bold Ransom (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Hit 1st, held up towards rear, headway 3 out, kept on from next, left 3rd last, never on terms, 3rd of 12, 26l behind Hilly Gale (11-2) at Wetherby 3m 1f nh mdn hdl (4) gd in Apr.
Cassius Dio (IRE) 100-1 (10-9) Towards rear, some headway 8th, ridden and weakened next, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Frankie Figg (10-12) at Hexham 3m nov hdl (4) gf in Oct, 11 ran.
Felix Mac (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Soon pushed along, always behind, tailed off from 3 out, 6th of 10, well behind Just Stunning (10-9) at Cartmel 2m 6f mdn hdl (4) gd in Aug.
Great Grimsby (IRE) 4-1 (10-12) Led until ran out at the 7th in race won by Carys's Lad (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gf, 11 ran.
Huckleberry (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) In rear, headway approaching 7th, ridden after 8th, weakened after 9th, 7th of 15, well behind Doctor Kilbride (10-8) at Towcester 3m nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Just Waz (USA) 25-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, blundered 8th, weakened next, 11th of 15, well behind Earnest (11-2) at Wetherby 2m 7f mdn hdl (5) gf in Apr.
Lil'rascal (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Held up, slightly hampered 5th, some headway when hit 9th, no further progress, 9th of 16, well behind The Sliotar (11-5) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nov hdl (4) sft in Oct.
Obaki de Grissay (FR) 5-2 (11-3) In touch, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, weakened approaching, 4th of 9, 29l behind Mark The Book (11-9) at Chepstow 3m nov hdl (4) hvy in Mar.
Pack Drill 18-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 4 out, stayed on from next, never dangerous, 4th of 13, 32l behind Mr Preacher Man (11-0) at Carlisle 3m 1f mdn hdl (5) gd in Oct.
Professor Higgins (IRE) 10-1 (10-11) In touch, led 2f out, soon headed and no extra, 2nd of 14, 1l behind Caravino (10-11) at Limerick 2m nhf gs in Apr.
Threeoseven 20-1 (10-2) fell in race won by Carys's Lad (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f nh nov hdl (4) gf, 11 ran.
