held up, headway 4 out, ridden next, soon weakened
tracked leaders, headway to lead after 4 out, ridden and headed flat, kept on same pace
held up, steady headway approaching 3 out, soon ridden and no impression
tracked clear leader, challenged 3 out, every chance when hit next, soon ridden, hung left and no extra flat
in touch, headway 3 out, challenged next, ridden to lead flat, kept on towards finish
behind, ridden halfway, never dangerous
mid-division, outpaced halfway, soon behind
always behind
behind, struggling halfway, kept on from 3 out, never near leaders
Irish point-to-point winner Catch Bob showed improved form when chasing home Strokestown at Sedgefield last month and Ferdy Murphy's gelding has to be respected on ground that will suit but BEST LOVER made an encouraging debut here last month when second to Steady Tiger and James Ewart's gelding is taken to go one better. Lady Wright showed some promise in bumpers and over hurdles in Ireland but is probably best watched on his debut for Mick Easterby. Don McCain's Gilsland ran better on his recent hurdling debut than he had done in a bumper first time up in November and he has to be considered with the yard's runners in such good form. Sue Smith's Uttoxeter bumper winner Magellan Straits ran promisingly on his first start over hurdles but he is strictly held by Catch Bob on that effort so looks best left out of calculations in race taken to go to Best Lover.
Anay Car (FR) 14-1 (11-0) Mid-division, outpaced 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up at the last in race won by Black Mogul (10-7) at Hexham 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) sft in Oct, 11 ran.
Best Lover (FR) 14-1 (11-4) In touch, ridden 2 out, stayed on to chase winner flat, no impression towards finish, 2nd of 16, 2l behind Steady Tiger (11-4) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Byron Bay 66-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, weakening when fell at the last in race won by Woody Waller (10-7) at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (4) gs in Jan, 13 ran.
Catch Bob (IRE) 12-1 (11-4) Held up, steady headway after 3 out, ridden to go 2nd last, kept on flat, 2nd of 12, 2 1/2l behind Strokestown (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Gilsland (IRE) 16-1 (11-4) Prominent, went 2nd 4 out, ridden, one pace in 2nd when blundered badly 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 15, 9l behind Mighty Moon (11-4) at Newcastle 2m nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Magellan Straits 16-1 (11-1) Raced keenly, held up towards rear, kept on from 2 out, nearest finish, 5th of 12, 20l behind Strokestown (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Jan.
Pete 18-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway and effort 3 out, weakened next, 9th of 12, 47l behind The Panama Kid (10-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Rennington Blue (IRE) 66-1 (10-13) In touch to halfway, soon beaten, 6th of 11, well behind Prince De Beauchene (11-6) at Ayr 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Jan.
Lady Wright (IRE) 25-1 (11-7) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, improved to lead after 4 out, ridden and headed after 2 out, soon no extra, 8th of 21, 20l behind Persian City (11-9) at Punchestown 2m 4f mdn hdl hvy in Dec.
Saluscraggie 50-1 (10-7) Held up, in touch, lost place from 4 out, 5th of 14, 44l behind Jenny Potts (10-7) at Wetherby 2m mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Nov.
Wheyaye 20-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, 7th of 14, 34l behind Don't Stop Me Now (10-3) at Musselburgh 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
