led until approaching 9th, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
took keen hold, chased leader, led before 9th, headed 5 out, rallied 3 out, blundered and unseated rider 2 out
held up in rear, mistake 7th, hard ridden 4 out, kept on approaching last
mid-division, headway to chase leaders after 3 out, left in 3rd next, never able to challenge
pulled hard in rear, blundered and unseated rider 2nd
prominent, mistakes 1st and 2nd, blundered 7th, soon struggling, soon tailed off, pulled up before 3 out
in touch, chased leaders after 4 out, weakening when not fluent 2 out
chased leaders, joined leader 9th, led 11th, headed 3 out, soon hard ridden, faded closing stages
mid-division, headway 10th, chased leaders next, led 3 out, soon challenged, stayed on well closing stages
Brandon Thomas made a reasonable start over fences behind Highrate at Hexham and the longer trip will suit while Reasonable Force has always had the look of a chaser and the fact that he was able to score over hurdles at Sedgefield in October was a bonus. Promising hurdler Bogside appears to have gone backwards over fences while the front-running point-to-point winner Avenging Ace has run poorly in his two starts over regulation fences. CLASSICAL MIST made a promising start over fences at Carlisle in February and has been given a break after two subsequent poor efforts. She looks the type to do better and her allowances can see her home in this moderate contest.
Avenging Ace (IRE) 7-2 (11-3) Led, headed before 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 13, 29l behind Master Neo (11-0) at Uttoxeter 3m Beginners Chase (0-110) (4yo+) (4) hvy in Nov.
Bogside (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Took keen hold early, held up in chasing group, headway to 3rd after 8th, went 2nd before 4 out, no chance with unchallenged winner when lost 2nd approaching last, 3rd of 6, 18l behind Kie (10-7) at Musselburgh 2m Beginners Chase (0-125) (4yo+) (3) gd in Nov.
Brandon Thomas (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) With leader, led 4th to 5th, led again before 8th, headed 2 out, ridden before last, kept on well, 2nd of 7, 4 1/2l behind Highrate (11-0) at Hexham 2m Beginners Chase (0-110) (4yo+) (4) hvy in Nov.
Fridaythorpe (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Disputed lead until led between 3 out and 2 out, ridden and headed 2 out, kept on one pace, 4th of 9, 9l behind The Mumper (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Mannered 5-1 (11-0) Led, strongly challenged 3 out, headed after next, weakened before last, 3rd of 7, 12l behind Quelle Chance (10-9) at Hexham 3m nh nov hdl (4) gf in Apr '11.
Master Conor (IRE) 150-1 (10-12) Mid-division, hampered 3rd, behind from 6th, tailed off, 12th of 17, well behind Crafti Bookie (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hdl (4) gd in Oct '11.
Reasonable Force 16-1 (10-13) Held up in touch, headway halfway, chased leaders 3 out, ridden to challenge next, stayed on under pressure to lead final 50 yards, all out, won at Sedgefield 2m 1f am nov hdl (4) gs in Apr beating The Weatherman (11-5) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Wilde Pastures (IRE) 10-3 (10-13) Prominent, led 2nd, headed approaching 2 out, weakened after last, 3rd of 12, 4l behind Reasonable Force (10-13) at Sedgefield 2m 1f am nov hdl (4) gs in Apr.
Classical Mist 5-1 (11-11) Held up in 5th, headway 13th, went 2nd after 3 out until before last, soon weakened, 4th of 6, 30l behind Overyou (11-3) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (4) gd in Apr.
