held up, headway from 4 out, ridden after next, one pace
blundered badly and unseated rider 1st
held up, blundered 4 out, soon weakened
led, headed after 3rd, remained close-up, lost place approaching 5 out
tracked leaders, blundered 9th, soon behind, weakened from 12th
tracked leaders, led after 3rd, ridden approaching last, headed close home
held up, headway 12th, one pace 2 out
held up in touch, weakened 12th, pulled up after
held up, chased leaders 13th, went 2nd approaching 4 out, one pace 2 out
held up in touch, chased leader approaching 2 out, challenged last, stayed on to lead close home
SYDNEY SLING looks the one to be on in this stayers' handicap chase, while Polar Gale, Kalmo Bay and Treehouse could all have their say. The last-named has been given a 6lb rise for landing a similar race at Carlisle on very testing ground, when sporting first-time blinkers. The hoods may not be quite so effective today, though we will give him due respect. Topweight Kalmo Bay has a heavy ground win to his name, though he has tended to show his best on faster going. He stays well and may do better for a recent pipe opener after a break, though he is hard to predict. Denis O'Regan has been booked for Polar Gale, who has done all of his winning at Sedgefield. He loves a test of stamina, and while he has made the frame here on good to soft, he has never won on anything slower than good and can be taken on. Darina's Boy is rising 14 now but he was good enough to win earlier this year and relishes some cut. This trip is ideal for him and he is on a competitive mark so could go very well. Star Best is well handicapped on his hurdling form, but recent chase efforts are none-too-encouraging, and preference is for Sydney Sling. Evan Williams' charge is consistent for one at this level and was not far away from winning at Ludlow last time, after scoring at Ffos Las. From the same mark and over a slightly longer trip this soft ground lover looks likely to find enough to get his nose back in front.
Kalmo Bay (FR) 25-1 (9-11) Held up in rear, kept on approaching 2 out, never on terms, 4th of 9, 13l behind Description (10-11) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Oct.
Darina's Boy 15-2 (10-0) With leader, hampered 2nd, led approaching 8th, headed approaching 12th, weakened 5 out, 5th of 6, 42l behind I'moncloudnine (11-1) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Sydney Sling (IRE) 2-1fav (10-11) Held up, headway 10th, went 2nd 13th, blundered and led 15th, 5 lengths clear last, nudged along flat, jockey more vigorous when headed towards finish, 2nd of 5, 1 1/4l behind Wizards Dust (10-5) at Ludlow 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Nov.
Hermano Cordobes (IRE) 12-1 (10-5) Tracked leaders, behind and weakened from 5 out, last of 7, well behind Nirvana Swing (11-2) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Polar Gale (IRE) 5-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced 3 out, rallied last, kept on to take 2nd towards finish, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Toulouse Express (9-10) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gf in Jun.
Star Beat 5-1 (11-1) Always towards rear, 6th of 9, 30l behind Dark Ben (10-7) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
Cross Compliance (IRE) 16-1 (11-3) Held up, reminders after 9th, no chance 14th, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Natoumba (11-3) at Warwick 3m 2f hcp ch 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan, 12 ran.
Fakima (IRE) 20-1 (10-8) Held up in last trio, mistake 13th, headway into 3rd 4 out, stayed on same pace from next, 3rd of 9, 18l behind Tarquinius (11-5) at Wincanton 3m 3f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Treehouse 6-1 (9-12) Held up, tracked leaders approaching 8th, led 4 out, kept on well from last, won at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Nov beating Matmata de Tendron (10-5) by 2 3/4l, 10 ran.
Sycho Fred (IRE) 10-3 (11-1) Held up, headway to join leaders 4 out, ridden and effort approaching next, soon lost place, no impression, 5th of 7, 9l behind Ya I Know (11-9) at Market Rasen 3m 5f hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Nov.
