raced in fourth until ridden along 3 out, some headway for pressure 2 out, kept on at one pace but caught for second close home
led, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, under pressure before last but no extra
tracked leaders, went third after 3 out, headway to lead 2 out, clear when bad mistake last, regained momentum and stayed on well
mid-division, pushed along after 3 out, jumped last in fourth but ran on strongly flat and got second close home
tracked leader, shaken up approaching 2 out, tried to go with winner but not quicken, kept on same pace
mid-division, under pressure before 4 out and little response, weakened quickly
in rear, still last 3 out, passed tired horses but never a factor
raced in second, dropped to third 5 out but still in contention, niggled in fourth 3 out and began to lose ground, no impression on leaders
always towards rear
worse than mid-division, at rear of main group 4 out but ridden and soon weakened
held up towards rear, lost touch with main group before 4 out, ridden soon after but never competitive
Hello Sunshine, from an in-form yard, made a promising start to his career when third in a Warwick bumper last month and Sam Twiston-Davies is again in the saddle. Cooper's Cross probably exceeded expectations when third over track and trip on his hurdles bow but Bollin Neil will need to jump better than at Sedgefield, though should enjoy the longer trip. AFRICAN DANCE is much preferred to Penpal of the two previous winners and the easy Sedgefield scorer can defy his penalty with his form having been franked.
African Dance (IRE) Evensfav (11-0) Chased leaders on inside, 2nd after 3 out, ridden between last 2, led approaching and went left last, stayed on strongly run-in, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f mdn (4) gs in Nov beating C'Est Le Bonheur (11-0) by 4 1/4l, 10 ran.
Penpal (FR) 20-1 (11-4) Towards rear, ridden after 5 out and soon weakened, 12th of 13, dist behind Against All Odds (10-5) at Catterick 2m 3f (4) gd in Nov.
A Large One Please (FR) 9-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, pushed along over 3f out, plugged on at one pace, 4th of 7, 30 1/4l behind Spider Pig (11-0) at Ayr 2m (5) sft in Oct.
Bollin Neil 10-1 (10-12) Not jump well, raced keenly, chased leaders, nudged along after 4th, pushed along before 3 out, soon beaten, 7th of 10, dist behind Tommy's Oscar (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f mdn (4) gs in Dec.
Burn Some Dust (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, steady headway approaching 2 out, ridden and no extra before last, 7th of 12, 30 3/4l behind On The Wild Side (11-5) at Hexham 2m (4) sft in Oct.
Cooper's Cross (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Settled in mid-division, headway approaching 3 out and quickened to lead before last, headed soon after but ran on well, 3rd of 13, 1 1/4l behind Against All Odds (10-5) at Catterick 2m 3f (4) gd in Nov.
Killane (IRE) 16-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, began to lose ground 3f out and faded out of contention, 10th of 14, 10 1/4l behind Fingal's Hill (11-0) at Catterick 2m (5) gd in Nov.
Same Opinion (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Mid-division, pushed along after 3 out, kept on steadily from 2 out, 4th of 10, 17l behind Tommy's Oscar (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 1f mdn (4) gs in Dec.
Very Patient (IRE) 40-1 (11-0) Soon towards rear, tailed off and pulled up before 4th, at Sedgefield 2m 1f mdn (4) gd in Oct.
Cimetta 25-1 (10-12) Raced wide towards rear, ridden 3f out, never on terms, 9th of 13, 26 1/4l behind Allavina (10-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f (5) gs in Mar.
Hello Sunshine (FR) 12-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, pushed along over 2f out, effort on far rail inside final furlong, ran on towards finish, 3rd of 11, 2 1/4l behind Blue Sans (10-12) at Warwick 2m (5) gd in Nov.
Midnight Antics (IRE) 250-1 (10-10) Not fluent, held up, mistake and behind 6th, tailed off, last of 11, dist behind Pure Bliss (10-10) at Uttoxeter 2m (4) sft in Nov.
