mid-division, outpaced 3rd, headway 3 out, chased winner last, stayed on
in rear, headway after 3 out, weakened after 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
always towards rear,
led, headed after 3 out, weakened approaching next
soon towards rear, never dangerous
held up behind, weakened 3 out,
held up and keen, headway 3 out, 8 lengths down in 4th when fell 2 out
chased leader, led after 3 out, clear when blundered badly 2 out, driven out
in touch, weakened 3 out,
behind from halfway
in touch, one pace 2 out,
held up towards rear, ridden and headway approaching 2 out, one pace
Mr Ex showed up well for a long way last time over the course and so he gets the vote ahead of Karyon. This is a dire contest and if the selection travels as well as he did last time, then this drop in trip could be right up his street and he could easily take home the prize money. The cheekpieces go on again today, and as they were on when he recorded his sole victory in a bumper at Plumpton in October of last year, it offers further encouragement today. His trainer knows the track well, and whilst his record over hurdles is slightly discouraging, he looks the most interesting horse of a bad bunch. Course and distance winner Karyon could provide a danger although his form figures are dire, whilst the other course and distance winner Magic Bengie returns from a 257-day lay-off and would be a danger if reproducing the form of that win, although that was two years ago and he has been very poor of late. Delaware Trail drops back into selling company after a stint over the bigger obstacles and although he has yet to win in 27 attempts, it wouldn't be totally surprising to see him go in today. Ultimately then, in what is a very weak contest, the tentative vote goes to Mr Ex.
Mr Ex (ARG) 7-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, effort 3 out, weakened next, 11th of 17, 36l behind Joan's Girl (11-3) at Catterick 2m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
Futoo (IRE) 10-1 (11-9) Mid-division, weakened 3 out, 13th of 17, 49l behind Caulkleys Bank (11-12) at Catterick 2m sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Nov.
Delaware Trail 40-1 (10-13) Always behind, blundered 3rd and 11th, beaten when pulled up 2 out in race won by Quibble (11-5) at Musselburgh 3m nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs, 13 ran.
Frenchgate 33-1 (10-9) In touch, weakened 4 out, 11th of 17, well behind Wizard of Us (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m mdn hdl (5) hvy.
Kyathos (GER) 33-1 (10-12) Led, headed after 3 out and weakened, 5th of 9, 24l behind Critical Stage (11-12) at Taunton 2m 3f sll hdl (5) gs.
Erte 40-1 (10-9) In touch to halfway, soon beaten, 9th of 12, well behind The Ring (11-0) at Kelso 2m mdn hdl (4) gs.
Pucks Court 80-1 (11-0) Towards rear, weakened halfway, tailed off when pulled up 5 out in race won by Return Home (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m nov chs (4) gf in Jun, 11 ran.
Imlaak 33-1 (10-0) Towards rear, headway approaching 2 out, soon ridden and no impression, 5th of 9, 20l behind Fair Spin (11-7) at Hexham 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Nov.
Nebraska City 22-1 (10-0) Raced keenly, tracked leaders, weakened after 3 out, 9th of 17, 37l behind Caulkleys Bank (11-12) at Catterick 2m sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Nov.
Karyon (IRE) 14-1 (9-9) Chased leaders, ridden 3 out, no impression approaching next, 6th of 17, 26l behind Caulkleys Bank (11-12) at Catterick 2m sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Nov.
Magic Bengie 100-1 (10-11) Always behind, mistakes, tailed off from halfway, 8th of 13, 39l behind Lucky Duck (10-13) at Carlisle 2m beg chs (4) sft in Apr.
Explode 33-1 (10-0) 5th when fell 5 out in race won by Caulkleys Bank (11-12) at Catterick 2m sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Nov, 17 ran.
Cashema (IRE) 28-1 (10-3) Held up mid-division, headway 4 out, ridden and blundered next, no impression, 5th of 12, 42l behind Never So Blue (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) hvy.
Princess Stephanie 11-1 (11-0) Prominent until ridden and weakened approaching 5th, tailed off from next, 10th of 12, well behind Stoneyford Ben (11-6) at Stratford 2m amt hcp hdl (4) gf in Jul.
