towards rear, pushed along before 2 out, went 3rd after 2 out, kept on, not pace to challenge
tracked leader, pushed along and outpaced before 2 out and dropped to rear, ridden after 2 out, rallied and stayed on after last
mid-division, mistake 8th, pushed along before 2 out, ridden before last, jumped right final fence and kept on one pace
in rear, not fluent on occasions, effort and headway to chase winner before 2 out, ridden after 2 out, kept on but no impression from before last
made all, jumped well, shaken up run-in, pushed out closing stages, unchallenged
chased leaders, ridden and outpaced before 2 out, gradually faded
This looks a tightly-knit affair but FRAU GEORGIA followed up an authoritative success at Perth with a solid runner-up effort off a 10lb higher mark - a really good response to the handicapper's hike. She's been hit with another 2lb rise as a result but has only had five starts over fences and can progress further. Kalaharry has also taken well to fences and has yet to finish outside the front three. He is up 2lb for a nose defeat last time at Bangor but is a danger to all, although it must be noted that this is his first start since late May. Breaking The Ice is raised in class but has made a cracking start over fences and is definitely noted along with Methodtothemadness.
Behindthelines (IRE) 25-1 (11-6) Mid-division, headway 11th, chased winner 3 out, challenged next until last, held flat, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 8, 4l behind Iwilldoit (11-10) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Methodtothemadness (IRE) 11-4 (11-4) Tracked leaders on inside, plugged on in 3rd turning in, no chance with winner, 3rd of 5, 8 1/4l behind Animore (10-12) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in Oct.
Artic Mann 18-1 (10-5) Mid-division, ridden along 2 out (usual 3 out), making some headway when badly hampered last, plugged on flat, 4th of 13, 28l behind Seven Eye Bridge (10-10) at Perth 3m 3f hcp (3) gd in Apr.
Deep Charm 80-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, steady headway from 5th, mistake 3 out, not fluent 2 out, no chance with winner last, plugged on, 4th of 10, 20l behind Itsnotyouitsme (11-2) at Hexham 2m 4f (4) sft in May.
Breaking The Ice (IRE) 6-1 (10-13) Led, shaken up and drew 6 lengths clear after 2 out, ridden out run-in, kept on well, unchallenged, won at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (5) gd in Oct beating Vintage Glen (10-1) by 4 1/4l, 12 ran.
Holme Abbey 15-2 (10-0) Mostly chased leaders, not always fluent, close up 3 out, held next, kept on flat, 4th of 7, 7 1/4l behind Juge Et Parti (11-11) at Perth 3m hcp (4) sft in Jul.
Largy Prospect (IRE) 50-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, disputed lead from 2nd, led before 6th, dived next, headed before 9th, dropped to rear and struggling 3 out, 5th of 6, 10l behind Empire De Maulde (11-5) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp (3) sft in Dec.
Kalaharry (IRE) 5-2fav (11-11) Led and disputed, led 2 out, ridden between last 2, strongly pressed and not fluent last, driven and kept on run-in, headed post, 2nd of 5, shd behind Stop Talking (11-12) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 4f hcp (4) sft in May.
Frau Georgia (IRE) 13-2 (11-2) Held up off the pace in 5th, smooth headway out wide going well 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, ridden and stayed on run-in, always held, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Coral (11-0) at Worcester 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Sep.
