refused to race
chased leaders, outpaced 4 out, stayed on into 2nd 2 out, kept on under pressure
led, soon joined, headed 3rd, led again 3 out, driven clear next, stayed on strongly
in touch, no impression approaching 2 out, modest 4th
tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, led before next, headed 3 out, weakened 2 out
behind, headway to chase leaders 4 out, effort 2 out, weakened before last
keen, pressed leader, led 3rd, soon headed, lost place 4 out, soon behind
None arrive in decent form, including last year’s winner Minella Fiveo and 2017 winner Ninepointsixthree. The latter finished closer at Uttoxeter last time but remains 7lb higher than when last successful while The Herds Garden failed to cope with a rise in the weights last time having won over a longer trip at Kelso earlier. Percy has won a maiden hurdle in Ireland and debuts for a new yard but a chance is taken on BARACALU improving for last month’s pipe-opener at Carlisle and he gets a tentative vote now handicapping with headgear applied for the first time.
Ninepointsixthree 40-1 (12-0) Reluctant to race and slowly away, held up in rear, headway approaching last, went 3rd flat, kept on, 3rd of 10, 7 1/4l behind Present From Dubai (11-4) at Uttoxeter 2m hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Percy (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Slowly away, soon switched to outer, headway and close up after 3f out, ridden and weakened 4f out, eased, tailed off, 10th of 12, dist behind Cornerstone Lad (9-9) at Catterick 2m hcp (5) hvy in Oct.
Baracalu (FR) 6-4fav (11-2) Led, blundered 2 out, soon headed, tiring when hit last, 3rd of 10, 23l behind Curramore (11-2) at Carlisle 2m 1f mdn (4) sft in Nov.
Minella Fiveo (IRE) 16-1 (11-12) Always behind, 8th of 13, 29 3/4l behind Little Rory Mac (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
The Herds Garden 14-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, every chance 2 out, no extra closing stages, 5th of 14, 21 3/4l behind Gennady (11-10) at Kelso 2m hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Dew Pond 15-2 (11-7) Held up in rear, headway 5th, ridden and no impression before 2 out, 6th of 10, 29 1/4l behind Paricolor (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in Nov.
Port Lairge 200-1 (11-0) Mid-division, weakened after 3 out, fell next, at Southwell 2m mdn (4) sft in Dec.