chased leaders, reminders before 9th, driven 17th, one pace from 3 out
led to 2nd, led before next until ridden and headed before 4 out, weakened 3 out, pulled up after
towards rear, jumped slowly 2nd, reminders before 15th, behind from next, tailed off when pulled up before 4 out
hit 1st, led 2nd to before 3rd, chased leader until blundered badly and unseated rider 9th
mostly chased leaders, mistakes 4th and 13th, blundered 17th, mistake and weakened 4 out
not fluent and jumped right, well in rear, reminders before 5th and 14th, headway after 17th, chased winner before 3 out, no impression when jumped right 2 out, stayed on same pace
in rear, ridden after 13th, well behind 16th, pulled up after 4 out
chased leaders, ridden after 13th, weakened before 16th
chased leader, left 2nd 9th, reminders after next, ridden after 13th, led before 4 out, clear last, driven out
Nonrunner
A competitive renewal in which HIMALAYAN TRAIL can take the measure of Huka Lodge and Sherwoods Folly. The ability to stay the trip will be paramount this afternoon and there will be no hiding place with what is likely to be a fairly frenetic pace despite the conditions. Sue Smith's veteran was spoken of as a possible Grand National winner last year but disappointed at Aintree in April. A likeable enough individual, he handles this surface with few issues and if his jumping holds together, he is not unfeasibly handicapped. Huka Lodge is a thorough mudlark. This trip could be on the sharp side for him these days though he is an entirely competent jumper. Sherwoods Folly won well last time out at Cheltenham off a very light weight. That race suffered some what for withdrawals but the handicapper has respected that in his assessment of the value of the formline. Mark The Book took advantage of others frailties to score by a distance in a Beginners Chase. This is a brave call by connections to take on much more experienced opposition. Jaunty Journey was in the process of running a solid race in the Borders National when coming to grief. He is tried with first time blinkers today. Never So Blue is a previous course winner and cannot be discounted with Venetia Williams yard among the winners. Tarquinius is best of the rest. Himalayan Trail should be a fair price and at the likely odds represents value against the more fashionable runners.
Sherwoods Folly 11-2 (10-2) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 4 out, hard driven to lead flat, stayed on well, won at Cheltenham 3m 2f hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft beating Gentle Ranger (10-9) by 5l, 7 ran.
Jaunty Journey 9-1 (11-2) Towards rear, reminders after 13th and soon tracking leaders, behind and pushed along when blundered and unseated rider 19th, in a race won by L'aventure (10-11) at Kelso 4m hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Dec, 9 ran.
Never So Blue (FR) 5-1 (10-9) In touch, jumped left 3rd, jumped slowly 5th, headway 14th, jumped slowly next, weakened 4 out, 6th of 8, 48l behind Eric's Charm (11-1) at Sandown 3m 5f hcp chs 0-150 (2) sft in Dec.
Huka Lodge (IRE) 7-2fav (10-7) Led, hit 3 out, ridden approaching last, headed towards finish, 2nd of 10, 3/4l behind Mr Strachan (11-4) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Dec.
Himalayan Trail 9-1 (11-4) Held up in rear, headway 6 out, hit 11th, no impression, 3rd of 8, 42l behind Huka Lodge (10-8) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Nov.
Supreme Keano (IRE) 9-2 (11-3) Jumped right, held up, mistake 5th, steady headway after 4 out, chased leading pair approaching 2 out, challenging for 2nd but no chance with winner when jumped badly right last, 2nd of 6, 4l behind Quattrocento (11-9) at Ffos Las 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gs in Dec.
Malko de Beaumont (FR) 14-1 (11-0) In rear, hampered 7th, headway 10th, kept on 2 out, 4th of 7, 12l behind Flake (11-0) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Dec.
Garleton (IRE) 6-1 (10-6) In touch, chased winner from 2 out, no impression, 4th of 9, 20l behind L'aventure (10-11) at Kelso 4m hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Dec.
Boris The Blade 15-2 (9-11) Towards rear, chased leaders 5th, pushed along after 11th, one pace from 2 out, 4th of 10, 29l behind Mr Strachan (11-4) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Dec.
Mark The Book (IRE) 7-2 (11-0) Tracked leader, hit 2nd, travelling well when left clear 4 out, eased flat, won at Chepstow 3m beg chs (4) hvy in Dec beating Earth Planet (11-0) by 31l, 6 ran.
Tarquinius (FR) 10-3fav (11-1) Chased leaders, with leader 5th, led last, headed towards finish, 2nd of 12, hd behind Master Overseer (10-13) at Plumpton 3m 5f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft.
