prominent, led 3 out, readily
tracked leader, ridden and weakened 3 out
chased leaders, ridden 2 out, no chance with winner
mid-division, ridden 4 out, stayed on from next
chased leaders, one pace from 3 out
led, headed and weakened quickly 3 out
in rear, keen, never on terms
The likely testing ground is a worry for Koup De Kanon as October's Carlisle winner was pulled up in heavy going at Hexham last time. PROUD TIMES is expected to handle it better and, despite disappointing when sent off favourite on his latest start, Alan Swinbank's charge gets the nod as this looks less competitive. Bumper winner Franks A Million hasn't been disgraced in a couple of starts over timber and could figure along with Oscar Romeo, though the latter has yet to match his bumper form over hurdles.
Koup De Kanon (FR) 6-4 (11-5) Tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced on long run between last 2, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before last, in a race won by Bury Parade (11-2) at Hexham 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Dec, 8 ran.
Andy Vic (IRE) 17-2 (10-8) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, chased winner after 8th, mistake 1oth, soon weakened, tailed off, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Simply Smashing (10-8) at Wetherby 3m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in May, 6 ran.
Franks A Million (IRE) 25-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, not fluent 2nd, lost place approaching 4th, headway 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on same pace last, 4th of 12, 11l behind The Weatherman (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Orlittlebylittle 200-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, blundered 3rd, soon struggling, tailed off, 11th of 14, well behind Magnifique Etoile (11-0) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Oscar Romeo (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Mid-division, outpaced 9th, weakened 4 out, tailed off, 6th of 13, 48l behind Nuts N Bolts (10-12) at Newcastle 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Dec.
Proud Times (USA) 85-40fav (10-5) Took keen hold, tracked leaders on inside, pushed along and outpaced before 3 out, stayed on again under pressure from last, went modest 4th closing stages, 4th of 13, 8l behind Nowurhurlin (10-9) at Carlisle 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Knickerbokerglory 200-1 (10-7) Chased leaders, weakened after 3 out, 9th of 12, well behind Bonnie Baloo (10-10) at Catterick 2m 3f mares NH nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Latest Fashion (IRE) 28-1 (10-11) Held up mid-division, led before 3f out, headed before 2f out, weakened before 1f out, 4th of 15, 12l behind Special Catch (11-4) at Catterick 2m NH flat (6) sft in Dec.
Shan Valley (IRE) 150-1 (10-8) Mid-division, struggling halfway, 7th of 15, 29l behind Ginger Grey (11-6) at Catterick 2m mdn hdl (5) sft in Dec.
Boston Court (IRE) 200-1 (10-5) Towards rear, soon pushed along, tailed off before 3 out, 7th of 12, well behind Chadford (11-5) at Catterick 2m 3yo hdl (4) gd in Nov.
