held up in mid-divsion, headway 5th, led 2f out, soon ridden, headed flat, no extra
held up in rear, pushed along after 5th, kept on one pace 2f out, never dangerous
tracked leaders, led 3rd, headed approaching 5th, every chance 3 out, soon weakened
led to 3rd, remained prominent, ridden 6th, soon weakened
mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden and beaten
held up in mid-division, headway 5th and in touch, effort 3 out, one pace from next
soon towards rear, lost touch halfway
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 3 out
towards rear, never dangerous
led 2nd to 3rd, led again approaching 5th, headed 2 out, stayed on strongly to lead again run-in
in touch, pushed along after 6th, ridden and weakened 3 out
held up towards rear, headway 3 out to chase leaders, soon ridden, one pace from next
in touch, weakened quickly after 5th, tailed off when pulled up before last
Wee Willow has been raised 7lbs for winning a weak contest at Sedgefield last time and has more to do here despite receiving weight from most of her rivals and we prefer to side with the horse at the top of the handicap, Real Shady, who gets the verdict over Jack Pot II. The last mentioned makes his debut in handicap-company for Len Lungo and could be interesting on the pick of his hurdles form although chasing is likely to be the making of the gelding. Sue Smith's Galen is well treated on the form that he showed over fences two years ago but the 12-year-old has not been seen since then and it is impossible to know how much ability he retains. Charming Admiral, a winner over fences at Hexham when last seen under National Hunt rules, has to be respected off his current mark if fit enough for his return, while the consistent performers Political Sox and Extra Proud should again be thereabouts. However, Hexham winner Real Shady gave every indication when beaten off his new mark at Wetherby last time that this longer trip would suit. His breeding suggests that that will bring about improvement as well being by St Leger winner Bob's Return out of an Ardross mare and he gets the vote.
