held up towards rear, headway approaching 4 out, chased leaders after 4 out, weakened approaching 2 out
chased leaders, went left 2 out, weakened between last two
chased leaders, blundered and lost place 5th, tailed off 4 out, pulled up soon after
led until not fluent and headed 2 out, chased winner, ridden before last, hung right and no impression when lost 2nd run-in
always towards rear, plugged on run-in, never a factor
chased leader, led 2 out, ridden clear before last, held on, all out
chased leaders until jumped slowly and lost place 5th, soon behind, tailed off 4 out, soon pulled up
held up, headway approaching 3 out, pushed along in 4th and one pace before last
ran out 1st
chased leaders, outpaced approaching 2 out, rallied last, kept on towards finish, just held
mid-division, mistake 3rd, pushed along before 3 out, soon struggling
towards rear when mistake and rider lost iron briefly 2nd, never a factor
A blunder close home may have cost CASTLELAWN second place at Ayr last month. But his rustiness can be forgiven as that was his first start since June last year and Lucinda Russell's charge should go close in this. Muwalla has been alternating between fences and hurdles but still remains high enough in the weights under both codes and Blades Lad is preferred on last month's close-up second at Sedgefield. Carters Rest won a lower grade chase in soft ground at Market Rasen last time but Claragh Native is preferred in this off his current mark.
Formidableopponent (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, blundered 6 out, pulled up before next, at Ayr 2m hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Why But Why (USA) 20-1 (11-12) Held up in rear, mistake 5 out, headway from 4 out, chased winner from 3 out, about 15 lengths down when fell last, at Ayr 2m hcp (4) sft in Feb.
Claragh Native (IRE) 16-1 (10-6) Behind, headway before 3 out, kept on, 5th of 11, 5l behind Oliver's Gold (11-2) at Wetherby 1m 7f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Castlelawn (IRE) 10-3fav (11-2) Led and mistakes, headed before 4th, left in lead 5 out, ridden and headed 2 out, one pace, 3rd of 7, 16l behind Monbeg River (11-7) at Ayr 2m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Muwalla 12-1 (10-0) Towards rear, hampered 6th, headway 4 out, ridden next, no impression, 4th of 8, 11 1/2l behind Village Vic (11-6) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Blades Lad 7-1 (9-5) Led, ridden over 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, kept on one pace, 2nd of 13, 5l behind Swift Cedar (9-7) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp (5) pol in Nov.
Calton Entry (IRE) 9-1 (10-9) Chased leader until 6th, chased leaders, weakened approaching 3 out, mistake next, 6th of 8, dist behind The Cobbler Swayne (10-8) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Endeavor 12-1 (11-12) Took keen hold, held up in touch, headway chasing leaders 3rd, led after 4 out, joined 2 out, headed and no extra in 3rd towards finish, 3rd of 11, 1 3/4l behind Triple Eight (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Gin Cobbler 66-1 (11-11) Always behind, 9th of 11, dist behind Triple Eight (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Carters Rest 12-1 (11-12) Made most, joined 3 out, ridden and ran on gamely run in, won at Market Rasen 2m 3f hcp (5) sft in Nov beating Ride On Time (11-11) by shd, 6 ran.
Morning Time (IRE) 15-2 (11-9) Tracked winner, weakened after 2 out, 4th of 8, dist behind Gin Cobbler (11-2) at Hexham 2m hcp (5) gd in May.
Sendiym (FR) 4-1fav (11-0) Mid-division, pushed along 3 out, ridden before last, kept on well run-in to take 4th place, 4th of 14, 9 1/4l behind Toola Boola (10-0) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp (5) sft in Oct.
