tracked clear leader, closed 4 out, led soon after next, ridden and joined last, asserted flat
led, clear 3rd, not fluent 4th/5 out, reduced lead next, pushed along and headed soon 3 out, weakened 2 out
in touch, not fluent 5 out, weakened next, pulled up before 2 out
raced wide, always in rear, pushed along 6th, soon struggling, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, weakened next
tracked leaders, mistake 3 out, chased winner next, ridden and every chance last, no extra flat
Great Pepper and Johnny Dogs are both point-to-point winners who made winning debuts over hurdles. The former beat Clovis Island and Lahardaun at Hexham while the latter won at Market Rasen back in June and both are penalised. TO CHASE A DREAM found one too good again when upped in trip at Wetherby but gets the vote to take advantage of the weight concession. Somebody's Fortune and Beat The Boum have form between the flags with the former representing last year’s winning yard.
Great Pepper (FR) 3-1 (11-4) Tracked leader, clear with leader from 4 out, led approaching last, joined flat, found extra gamely close home, won at Hexham 2m 4f mdn (4) hvy in Nov beating Mumford's Magic (11-4) by nk, 13 ran.
Johnny Dogs (IRE) 9-4 (11-2) Made all, keen throughout on first circuit, not fluent and jumped left on several occasions, reduced lead before 2 out, responded well and soon asserted before last, ran on well, eased slightly final strides, comfortable, won at Market Rasen 2m 5f mdn (4) gd in Jun beating Woodie Flash (11-2) by 3 1/2l, 4 ran.
Greyrobin Star (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Led, blundered 6th and headed, weakened rapidly and pulled up before 5 out, at Carlisle 2m 4f (4) sft in Oct.
Lahardaun (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) Raced wide towards rear, ridden 3 out, never nearer, 5th of 13, 26 3/4l behind Great Pepper (11-4) at Hexham 2m 4f mdn (4) hvy in Nov.
Beat The Boum 6-1 (11-11) Tr ldr in 2nd/3rd, 6l 2nd from 6out, 2 1/2l 2nd bef 3out until 3rd aftr 3out, no ex bef last & drpd to 4th cl hm, 4th of 11, 3 1/2l behind Elusive Prince (11-11) at Dawstown 3m mdn gd in May.
To Chase A Dream 6-1 (10-13) Off the pace towards rear on inside, mistake 4 out, headway chasing leaders home turn, 3rd before 3 out, hit 3 out and next, stayed on into 2nd final strides, no chance with winner, 2nd of 15, 7l behind Heltenham (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 4f (3) sft in Nov.
Clovis Island 2-1fav (11-4) Close up, chased clear leading pair 4 out, pushed along 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 13, 18 1/4l behind Great Pepper (11-4) at Hexham 2m 4f mdn (4) hvy in Nov.
Mount Falcon (IRE) 250-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, some headway out wide in mid-division after 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off and eased before 3 out, last of 15, dist behind Heltenham (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 4f (3) sft in Nov.
Somebody's Fortune (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) Tr ldr, 2nd 1/2way, cl 2nd 4out, 3l 2nd 2out, kow & 1l 2nd at last, nt rch wnr flat, 2nd of 6, 1l behind Josie Alice (11-11) at Necarne 3m mdn Soft - Heavy in Apr.
