made all, drew clear from 3 out, unchallenged after, stayed on well, comfortably
tracked leaders, chased winner 4 out, driven and outpaced before next, no chance with winner when blundered 2 out, lost 2nd and weakened last
tracked winner, lost place 4 out, soon outpaced, weakened from next, soon pulled up
held up in touch on outside, behind and pushed along after 11th, ridden and late headway under pressure after 2 out, went 2nd last, stayed on well closing stages, never reached winner
held up in touch, chased leaders 11th, ridden and outpaced in 3rd 3 out, never on terms, weakened last
Ramonex was placed over track and trip recently but soft going is a worry while this looks tougher than the race Weyburn won at Southwell and he’s upped 5lb. Banny's Lad found a 7lb rise beyond him last time having won at Sedgefield earlier but Witness has slipped down the weights and finished closer at Newcastle on his latest start. NEFYN BAY wasn’t beaten far over hurdles recently but an earlier narrow defeat over course and distance is more pertinent form and he gets the nod back over the larger obstacles today.
Ramonex (GER) 20-1 (11-2) Led to 9th, led again 10th, headed before 2 out, no extra and lost 2nd place after last, 3rd of 5, 5 1/4l behind Divine Spear (11-2) at Catterick 2m 3f (4) gs in Nov.
Weyburn (IRE) 5-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, led before last, kept on well, won at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec beating Hepijeu (11-5) by 2 1/2l, 8 ran.
Banny's Lad 11-4 (11-12) Tracked leaders, took keen hold, lost place when mistake 5th, headway after 4 out, driven approaching 2 out, not fluent last, kept on but unable to challenge, 3rd of 6, 2 3/4l behind Minella Forfitness (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (4) gd in Jun.
Nefyn Bay 9-2 (10-11) Held up in 6th, outpaced after 3 out, never on terms, 5th of 7, 5 1/2l behind Star Foot (11-12) at Huntingdon 2m hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Witness (FR) 17-2 (10-8) Held up towards rear, headway before 4 out, soon ridden, kept on to take 3rd place run-in, no impression, 3rd of 11, 6 3/4l behind Plus Jamais (11-9) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
