always behind
tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened from next
towards rear, headway to chase leaders 8th, led 4 out, drew clear from 2 out
towards rear, ridden and chased leaders 4 out, no impression from next
mid-division, ridden and no impression from 4 out
always behind
mid-division, ridden after 4 out, weakened from next
in touch, weakened from 10th, pulled up before 3 out
mid-division until weakened 10th
in touch until weakened from 9th, behind and pulled up after 4 out
mid-division until lost place 7th, ridden nest, behind when pulled up before 9th
in touch, ridden from 4 out, in mid-division and weakening when pulled up 2 out
prominent, led briefly approaching 4 out, soon ridden, one pace
led until headed approaching 4 out, weakened quickly and pulled up after 4 out
always towards rear, pulled up before 3 out
always behind, pulled up before 3 out
Rightful Ruler stayed on well when landing a similar contest over course and distance earlier this month but a 5lb rise for that success leaves the six-year-old with more to do now and on 5lb better terms Seize is taken to reverse that form and gets the vote ahead of Smart Man. The last mentioned has been in good form of late but may have paid the penalty at the hands of the handicapper for his successes last month so may be best watched now. Len Lungo's Mensio is less exposed than most of these but an 11lb rise for his narrow defeat of Doris's Gift last time looks harsh, while Brendan Powell's Fondness may struggle under a 7lb penalty for her recent win at Fakenham. Native Coral gave little sign of encouragement on his return at Ayr in November and preference is for Seize, who looks to be going the right way, handles the ground and seemingly stays as well.
Rightful Ruler 4-1 (11-10) Held up in touch, smooth headway from approaching 2 out to lead approaching last, driven out run-in, won at Musselburgh 3m ldy hcp hdl (4) sft beating Seize (11-5) by 3 1/2l, 6 ran.
Chief Oscar (IRE) 16-1 (10-8) Towards rear, headway 3 out, 3rd next, soon ridden and no impression, 3rd of 16, 12l behind Merchent Paddy (11-4) at Fairyhouse 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-116 hvy.
Native Coral (IRE) 9-2 (11-9) Held up in touch, ridden 6 out, weakened 4 out, tailed off, 4th of 8, well behind Endless Power (11-9) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp chs 0-130 (3) sft in Nov.
Seize 7-4fav (11-5) Held up in touch, headway from after 3 out to lead approaching 2 out, soon ridden and headed approaching last, one pace run-in, 2nd of 6, 3 1/2l behind Rightful Ruler (11-10) at Musselburgh 3m ldy hcp hdl (4) sft.
Tickateal 12-1 (10-10) Mid-division, effort 4 out and chased leaders next, soon one pace, 3rd of 10, 16l behind Patavium (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Dec.
Ever Special (IRE) 25-1 (11-3) Behind and lost place from 4 out, 7th of 10, 39l behind Patavium (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Dec.
Super Baby (FR) 9-2 (10-9) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, one pace from last, 3rd of 7, 2 1/2l behind Flake (11-5) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs.
Solway Bee 10-1 (11-0) Held up behind, headway after 4 out, effort 2 out, kept on under pressure flat, 3rd of 18, 1 1/2l behind Pelo Du Bief (11-2) at Newcastle 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft.
Wee Bertie (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (11-12) Held up mid-division when fell at the 2nd in race won by Sarrococca (11-8) at Wetherby 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Dec, 17 ran.
The Weaver (FR) 14-1 (11-5) Mid-division, tracked leaders 3 out, ridden after 2 out, kept on to lead run-in, won at Musselburgh 2m sll hdl (5) sft beating Nevinstown (11-5) by 3 1/2l, 10 ran.
Fondness 17-2 (11-4) Held up in touch, led 10th, ridden 2 out, stayed on well under pressure, won at Fakenham 2m 7f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs beating Petroupetrov (11-10) by 1 1/2l, 14 ran.
Ninetyninetreble (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, weakened approaching 3 out, 10th of 16, 41l behind Moonhawk (10-9) at Carlisle 2m 1f mdn hdl (5) hvy in Nov.
Smart Man 4-1jt-fav (10-9) Tracked leaders, led after 3 out, ridden and headed next, soon one pace, 2nd of 13, 7l behind Dundock (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft.
Mensio (IRE) 20-1 (10-3) Made most, ridden clear approaching 2 out, all out towards finish, won at Kelso 2m 6f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) gs in Dec beating Doris's Gift (9-11) by a hd, 14 ran.
Napalm (IRE) 12-1 (10-8) In touch, outpaced 4 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace from next, 4th of 12, 19l behind Onefourfun (11-6) at Wetherby 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
Kathuna (IRE) 14-1 (10-4) Behind, ridden, outpaced 3 out, never on terms, 6th of 9, 28l behind Bob's Dream (10-4) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Dec.
