mid-division, effort to chase leaders 3 out, ridden last, kept on under pressure flat
led to 8th, with leader, led again 13th, headed 2 out, soon lost place, weakened last
with leader, led 8th to 13th, led again 2 out, ridden and headed flat, kept on same pace, lost 2nd towards finish
in touch when blundered, unseated rider 9th
in rear, some headway 3 out, outpaced next, no impression when hit last
tracked leaders, outpaced 3 out, ridden approaching last, rallied flat, stayed on to go 2nd towards finish, not reach winner
mid-division, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened, tailed off
always behind
mid-division, effort 2 out, soon ridden, kept on under pressure flat
blundered and unseated rider 1st
held up, headway and in touch 6th, outpaced 3 out, soon weakened
chased leaders to 6th, dropped rear next, pulled up before 11th
mid-division, lost place 7th, struggling 11th, no danger after
held up mid-division, headway and in touch 14th, went 2nd between last 2, challenged when mistake last, ridden and stayed on to lead flat, held on towards finish
OR DE GRUGY is the selection in this competitive affair with Sherriff Hutton and More Likely on the short list. Sue Bradburne's charge needs no introduction to life around here and having caught the eye last time out, we are hopeful that he is far enough down the handicap to put it altogether this afternoon. Sheriff Hutton is progressing nicely and in the event of any overnight rain, he very much enters the equation. Nirvana Swing ran his best race for some time at Wetherby and cannot be dismissed. More Likely made all to win last time out though this is a tougher affair. Et Maintenant is stepping into the unknown as far as the trip is concerned. Soubriquet is tried in cheekpieces and with Michael McAllister able to take 3lb off; he has a very nice racing weight. Canada Street is a very good traveller though does not always find as much as he promises. Snowy is a likeable type and despite rising 11 years of age, he ground out a spectacular victory at the course in October. Harmony Brig is tried without cheekpieces on seasonal reappearance. Le Roi Rouge represents a yard that were among the winners on Friday. Or De Grugy gets the nod in a race where few can be dismissed.
Harmony Brig (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, weakened from 4 out, 8th of 12, 34l behind Great Approach (10-9) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-140 (2) gd in Mar.
More Likely 5-1 (11-4) Made all, mistake 3 out, driven out, won at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gd in Oct beating Poker De Sivola (11-12) by 1/2l, 5 ran.
Sheriff Hutton (IRE) 13-8fav (11-0) Led to 5th, tracked leader, disputed lead 10th, led again 2 out, ridden and stayed on flat, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chase (4) gd in May beating Little Lu (10-7) by 2 1/2l, 9 ran.
Or de Grugy (FR) 9-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, chased winner 3 out, one pace from last, 3rd of 8, 8l behind Striking Article (11-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Oct.
Le Roi Rouge (FR) 12-1 (11-8) Held up towards rear, ridden approaching 2 out, no impression, 7th of 8, 9l behind Some Touch (11-6) at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gf in Oct.
Nirvana Swing (FR) 6-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, headway approaching 4 out, chased winner approaching last, no impression, 2nd of 8, 8l behind Striking Article (11-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gf in Oct.
Et Maintenant (FR) 20-1 (10-10) Tracked leaders, weakened approaching 4 out, 5th of 11, 16l behind Frankie Figg (11-3) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) gs in Oct.
Soubriquet (IRE) 18-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, one pace from 3 out, 6th of 9, 18l behind Description (10-11) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Oct.
Canada Street (IRE) 7-1 (11-6) In rear when blundered 1st, ridden and stayed on one pace from 3 out, 3rd of 9, 4l behind Lucky Nellerie (10-10) at Sedgefield 3m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Apr.
Fiftyfive Degrees (IRE) 3-1fav (11-1) Jumped left, tracked leaders, outpaced when stumbled 3 out, soon pulled up, in a race won by Storymaker (11-6) at Carlisle 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Mar, 8 ran.
Nile Moon (IRE) 10-1 (10-2) Led to 10th, one pace from 3 out, 2nd of 9, 2 3/4l behind Description (10-11) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) gd in Oct.
Tory Hill Lad (IRE) 12-1 (11-2) Prominent, led from 9th, headed 5 out, weakened from next, 9th of 16, 33l behind My Lord Oscar (11-8) at Thurles 3m hcp chs 0-109 gd in Oct.
Snowy (IRE) 10-3fav (10-13) Tracked leader, disputed lead 4 out, lost place before 2 out, soon outpaced, ridden and headway flat, rallied to lead towards finish, won at Kelso 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Oct beating Dawn Ride (10-11) by nk, 7 ran.
Justwhateverulike (IRE) 8-1 (10-10) Mid-division, going well and every chance approaching last, ridden and squeezed through on inside to lead flat, won at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in Apr beating Snowy (10-13) by 3/4l, 7 ran.
