held up, mistake 6th, struggling from 8th, pulled up before 3 out
held up, ridden approaching 8th, blundered 3 out, soon weakened
held up in touch, outpaced 9th, never dangerous after
chased leaders, ridden 7th, pulled up before next
close up, chased winner approaching 3 out, outpaced next, stayed on towards finish
chased leaders, left 3rd 3 out, soon outpaced
always behind, detached halfway, pulled up before 3 out
held up, headway 9th, ridden approaching 3 out, kept on
made all, kept on gamely from last
prominent, outpaced approaching 3 out, soon beaten
mid-division, chased leaders 9th, 2 lengths down in 3rd and going well when fell 3 out
held up, outpaced 9th
in touch, outpaced 4 out, weakened approaching next
This is a tricky handicap in which the vote goes to Elverys ahead of Assumetheposition and Toulouse Express. The selection was still travelling strongly when falling four from home on his chasing debut last month at Musselburgh, and assuming that he gets round, he could be hard to beat today. In a race where the majority are exposed, the selection has the potential to be better than this class and the booking of Richard Johnson looks a fine move. Whilst ultimately the main danger to the selection could be the fences, other dangers could include Assumetheposition. He will need to bounce back from a disappointing run last time out when he faded tamely after trying to make all the running and was eventually pulled-up. Prior to that run however he had been mainly consistent and so he could take some place money again today. Toulouse Express has only won once in 24 starts and so doesn't look one to trust, however he ran okay when third to Terlan last time out, although this trip possibly stretches his stamina. this isn't a strong race and Elverys looks to have every chance of making amends for his fall last month.
Elverys (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, 3rd and every chance when fell 4 out in race won by Barracat (9-10) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Nov, 12 ran.
Ton-Chee 10-1 (11-2) In rear, outpaced 4 out, never on terms, last of 6, 14l behind Terlan (11-4) at Newcastle 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft.
Posh Stick 12-1 (10-0) Mid-division, outpaced 5 out, soon weakened, 8th of 9, well behind Another Promise (11-12) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft.
Assumetheposition (FR) 4-1 (11-3) Led to 4th, tracked leader, led again 7th, headed 2 out, weakened quickly and pulled up at the last in race won by Getinbybutonlyjust (11-5) at Hexham 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy, 7 ran.
Toulouse Express (IRE) 15-8fav (10-8) Tracked leader, led briefly 4 out, outpaced 2 out, ridden and stayed on well, flat, 3rd of 6, 2l behind Terlan (11-4) at Newcastle 2m nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft.
Scotmail Lad (IRE) 9-1 (11-6) Towards rear, behind when pulled up at the 11th in race won by Black Chalk (10-7) at Musselburgh 2m 4f amt hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd, 14 ran.
Tipp Top (IRE) 9-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, driven along after 7th, weakened after 5 out, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Over The Storm (10-13) at Market Rasen 3m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Apr, 13 ran.
Mystic Glen 12-1 (10-8) Mid-division, weakened 8th, 7th of 9, well behind Fearless Foursome (10-0) at Kelso 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs.
Emerald Destiny (IRE) 33-1 (10-2) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Nenuphar Collonges (11-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Nov, 9 ran.
Gunson Hight 8-1 (10-2) Tracked leader, ridden and chased leader from 4th out, gradually weakened, 6th of 14, 19l behind Black Chalk (10-7) at Musselburgh 2m 4f amt hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd.
Jimmys Duky (IRE) 8-1 (10-0) Tracked leaders, left in lead 7th, headed approaching last, no extra flat, 3rd of 9, 10l behind Fearless Foursome (10-0) at Kelso 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs.
Pavey Ark (IRE) 40-1 (10-0) With leader, reminders 5th, soon lost place, behind when pulled up at the 8th in race won by Flake (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Nov, 10 ran.
Mr Laggan 25-1 (10-2) With leaders to 6th, weakened 12th, 9th of 14, 42l behind Royal China (10-6) at Uttoxeter 2m 5f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Jul.
