held up, headway after 3 out, every chance 2 out, one pace flat
mid-division, headway 5th, led 2 out, ridden and headed last, one pace flat
always towards rear, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
prominent to 3 out, weakened quickly
in touch, every chance 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
held up, jumped slowly 4th, ridden and headway after 5th, every chance 3 out, weakened 2 out
chased leaders, bumped approaching 3 out, ridden 2 out, led last, ran on
jumped slowly and lost place 1st, behind when blundered and unseated rider 2nd
led, hit 4th, headed next, every chance 3 out, weakened quickly, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on flat, went 2nd close home
chased leaders, led 5th, ridden and headed 2 out, every chance last, not quicken flat
This is a realistic level for Strathtay and she can get the better of Blue Mariner, Rifleman and Time For You. There may also be a bit more to come from Lorna Dune, who has at least proved her stamina for the trip and makes more appeal than former sprinter Roan Raider, who is hard to fancy on the evidence available. Time For You has solid place claims on what she has achieved to date and should be capable of getting involved in the thick of the action if she runs to form. However, she is not the most resolute in a finish and is vulnerable to a more determined type. The same applies to Rifleman, who has already had numerous chances in this sort of company. The fact that he has made the frame in ten of his fifteen starts over jumps tells its own story and he is for the brave only again today. Blue Mariner was well beaten in his only previous start over timber and needs to post an improved display to figure this afternoon. However, he did face much stiffer opponents and will appreciate this ease in grade if nothing else. Nevertheless, preference goes to Strathtay, who has taken to the winter game with a relish since joining Martin Pipe in the summer. The form of her starts over hurdles is working out very well and she is fancied to take all the beating on these terms.
Blue Mariner 66-1 (11-4) Prominent, jumped slowly 4 out, ridden and weakened 2 out, 8th of 12, 18l behind Penzance (11-0) at Huntingdon 2m nov hdl (E) gd in Jan.
Rifleman (IRE) 15-8fav (10-12) Held up, in touch, mistake 3 out, not fluent 2 out, soon hard ridden, chased winner approaching last, one pace flat, 2nd of 10, 1 1/2l behind Dancinginthestreet (10-12) at Hereford 2m 3f cnd sll hdl (G) gs.
Roan Raider (USA) 14-1 (10-9) Always behind, 7th of 11, well behind Nuzzle (10-5) at Kelso 2m nov sll hdl (G) gs.
St Barchan (IRE) 12-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, ridden after 6th, soon weakened last, 8th of 12, well behind Tizi Ouzou (10-5) at Ludlow 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) gs in Oct '04.
Zabadou 20-1 (10-7) Always towards rear, 7th of 10, 33l behind A Bit Of Fun (10-7) at Doncaster 2m sll hdl (G) gs in Dec.
Varuni (IRE) 125-1 (10-2) Mid-division, gradually faded from halfway, 7th of 11, 35l behind Refinement (11-4) at Towcester 2m mrs nov hdl (D) gd in Oct.
Darko Karim 25-1 (10-5) Not jump well, in touch to 4th, weakening when hampered 6th, soon tailed off and pulled up 3 out in race won by Palace Walk (11-5) at Ludlow 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) gf in Oct, 13 ran.
Zando 50-1 (10-12) Mid-division, lost place 3rd, kept on flat, never dangerous, 6th of 15, 19l behind Vocative (10-0) at Haydock 2m 3yo nov hdl (D) sft.
Jenna Stannis 12-1 (8-13) Held up behind leaders, ridden over 2f out, no extra final furlong, 7th of 16, 9l behind Granary Girl (8-7) at Nottingham 1m 2f app sll hcp (6) gd in Oct (Flat).
Lorna Dune 18-1 (10-2) Held up mid-division, hampered 4th, ridden 6th, soon struggling, tailed off, 7th of 15, 48l behind Patman Du Charmil (10-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 3yo nov hdl (E) gs in Oct.
Strathtay 10-1 (10-5) Keen hold, tracked leader, led 3rd, mistake 3 out, headed 2 out, weakened before last, 7th of 12, 8l behind Barnbrook Empire (10-5) at Cheltenham 2m 3yo nov hdl (D) gd in Oct.
Time For You 9-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, mistake 3rd, ridden 3 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 13, 13l behind First Fought (10-7) at Hereford 2m 1f 3yo nov hdl (E) gs.
