mid-division, hit 4th, headway to chase leaders 6th, soon ridden, weakened 2 out
behind most of way, pulled up before 3 out
in touch, went 2nd at 6th, led on bit 3 out, ridden approaching last, kept on gamely
in touch, ridden to press leaders approaching 3 out, kept on same pace
pulled hard, held up, headway to join leader after 3rd, weakened 6th
held up towards rear, headway approaching 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened 2 out
led, ridden and headed 3 out, kept on same pace
held up towards rear, pulled up after 3rd
held up towards rear, headway 4th, not fluent 5th, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
chased leader, ridden after 6th, every chance next, weakened 2 out
mid-division, headway 5th, ridden and every chance 3 out, one pace after
chased leaders until 4th, soon weakened
mid-division, headway approaching 3 out to chase leaders, ridden after 2 out, pecked last, kept on but wandered under pressure run-in
Black Hills is taken to get the better of The Luder in the opener, with Aztec Warrior and Doc Row also worth noting. This race was won by Racing Demon 12 months ago, so the progress of this year's victor will be noted with interest, and on the balance of form so far, it may well be Black Hills that comes out on top. Jonathan Geake's charge hacked up on his hurdles debut here in November, and then finished third under a penalty over track and trip a month ago. A big, imposing sort, he will be suited by the slightly better ground today, and he can put his knowledge of the track to good use before eventually embarking on a career over fences. Aztec Warrior hails from last year's winning stable and has the assistance of Tony McCoy, but the feeling is that he will need more time, while Doc Row's dam comes from the same family as Bonanza Boy so could one day be a useful chaser himself. Sea The Light did nothing wrong when battling home here in November, with The Luder back in fourth, but the latter has since just been touched off in heavy ground at Chepstow, and may be a lot closer now as Sea The Light carries a penalty for his course win. Dare To Dream has turned out here five times in six career outings already and came good last time, but he has a lot more to do now against this opposition, especially Black Hills, a most progressive sort that can pay to follow.
Black Hills 6-5fav (11-7) Held up towards rear, headway after 4th, ridden and mistake 3 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Inaro (11-0) at Exeter 2m 1f nh nov hdl (E) sft in Dec.
Dare Too Dream 25-1 (10-12) In touch, joined leaders after 6th, led 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on, driven out, won at Exeter 2m 3f nov hdl (D) gs in Dec beating The Sawyer (10-12) by 1/2l, 18 ran.
Mister Quasimodo 9-1 (11-0) Held up, headway and mistake 9th, ridden approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 6, 33l behind Black Jack Ketchum (11-7) at Cheltenham 3m nov hdl Grd 2 (A) gs in Dec.
Sea The Light 9-4fav (10-12) Mid-division, headway approaching 5th, ridden and challenged 3 out, led approaching last, kept on gamely, won at Exeter 2m 1f nov hdl (D) gs in Nov beating Fourty Acers (10-12) by a nk, 17 ran.
Arumun (IRE) 11-2 (10-12) Led and soon clear, hit 3 out, headed between last 2, no extra flat, 2nd of 14, 3 1/2l behind Dearson (10-12) at Fontwell 2m 4f nov hdl (E) sft in Dec.
Aztec Warrior (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Held up, headway 6th, effort approaching 2 out, stayed on to go 2nd run-in, 2nd of 13, 3 1/2l behind Pedros Brief (11-0) at Windsor 2m 4f nh mdn hdl (E) gs in Dec.
Doc Row (IRE) (12-0) won at Boulta 3m ire ptp gs in Nov beating Dennys Present (12-0) by 20l, 14 ran.
Duncliffe 33-1 (11-7) Prominent when fell at the 8th in race won by Iris Bleu (11-2) at Wincanton 3m 1f lst hcp chs (A) gd in Nov, 12 ran.
Here We Go (IRE) 5-1 (11-4) Keen, tracked leaders, ridden and weakened 5f out, 13th of 15, well behind Leading Contender (11-4) at Chepstow 2m nhf (H) gs in Oct.
Il Capriccio (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Prominent until ridden and weakened 3f out, 3rd of 19, 23l behind Ballymena (10-1) at Worcester 2m mdn nhf (H) gf in Apr.
Marchensis (IRE) 7-4fav (11-2) Chased leader, led over 5f out, ridden over 3f out, ran on, won at Ludlow 2m nhf (H) gd in May '03 beating Scamp (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 8 ran.
Purple Patch 9-4 (11-4) Always prominent, led 3rd until after 5th, led after 4 out, edged right after 3 out, headed 2 out, eased once beaten run-in, 2nd of 13, 16l behind Harringay (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f mrs nov hdl (D) gd in Dec.
Sabreur 16-1 (10-12) Mid-division, ridden when mistake 3 out, headway approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 18, 16l behind Fier Normand (10-12) at Bangor 2m 1f nh nov hdl (E) hvy in Dec.
Spring Junior (FR) 25-1 (10-12) Led until 3rd, prominent, led 7th, ridden and headed 3 out, one pace after, 4th of 18, 15l behind Dare Too Dream (10-12) at Exeter 2m 3f nov hdl (D) gs in Dec.
The Luder (IRE) 9-4fav (11-2) Held up, headway 4th, led on bit 3 out, headed last, rallied close home, 2nd of 11, nk behind Biscar Two (11-2) at Chepstow 2m mdn hdl (E) hvy in Dec.
