A competitive hurdle race in which we will give the tentative vote to Pay On with both Royal Melbourne and Westgate worth noting. The selection has shown enough in recent outings to suggest he is not far off winning a race of this nature. Although he is yet to win from fifteen outings he looks potentially well handicapped as a result. He was fourth of fourteen in a similar race at Sedgefield last time out and with a nice racing weight to carry here he can once again run well. Royal Melbourne on the other hand has top weight to lump round. He has limited experience over jumps but ran with credit when second at Ayr on his latest run and with further improvement still to come he is worth following in the betting market. Westgate is a horse that could be well handicapped. He has slipped down the weights this winter and could be off a potential winning mark having run well at Weatherby on his penultimate outing but having said that he did run below par at Leicester last time out so has to be treated with caution. So for the winner we return to Pay On.
Charlie Tango (IRE) 25-1 (10-13) Raced keenly and led, mistake 5th, soon headed, weakened and pulled up 2 out in race won by Calculaite (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Apr, 16 ran.
Cheer Us On 16-1 (11-4) Mid-division, kept on same pace from 2 out, never on terms, 5th of 9, 22l behind Bob's Dream (10-4) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
Royal Melbourne (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) Held up, headway 4 out, every chance when hit 3 out, blundered next, led briefly last, one pace flat, 2nd of 8, 3l behind Roschal (11-4) at Ayr 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (4) hvy.
Westgate (IRE) 18-1 (11-2) Reluctant to start, pulled hard, rapid headway to lead 3rd, soon clear with 2 others, ridden and headed 3 out, soon weakened, 8th of 15, 32l behind Primitive Academy (11-3) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf.
Make A Mark (IRE) 50-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened from next, 6th of 11, 15l behind Roman Villa (11-4) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gs in Nov.
Beau Largesse 4-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 10, 17l behind Tirol Livit (10-7) at Market Rasen 2m 1f sll hdl (5) gd in Apr.
Digital Media (IRE) 6-1 (11-1) Held up, headway and in touch halfway, weakening when blundered 3 out, never on terms, 4th of 14, 19l behind King Mak (11-1) at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Mar.
Ball Games 20-1 (11-3) Always behind, 14th of 17, 29l behind Breaking Shadow (11-5) at Catterick 2m sll hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd.
Rotuma (IRE) 5-1 (11-0) In rear, reminder 4 out, headway and effort next, one paced under pressure, 3rd of 13, 14l behind Turn Of Phrase (10-11) at Wetherby 2m mdn hdl (E) gf in Mar '03.
Pay On (IRE) 7-1 (10-10) In touch, ridden to chase winner 2 out, one pace approaching last, 4th of 14, 13l behind Pagan Rules (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f cnd nov hcp hdl (4) gs.
Painted Sky 12-1 (11-3) Held up, always behind, 12th of 19, well behind Nike Walker (11-3) at Market Rasen 2m 1f hcp hdl (5) sft in Feb.
Scuzme (IRE) 50-1 (11-5) Mid-division, hampered 3 out, soon weakened, 10th of 19, 35l behind Polyphon (11-8) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl (5) sft in Nov.
Cuccinello (IRE) 10-1 (10-3) Towards rear, headway 7th, weakened 3 out, 10th of 14, 50l behind Thievery (10-4) at Hereford 2m nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Nov.
Bene Lad (IRE) 14-1 (11-2) Towards rear, ridden 4 out, never dangerous, 8th of 15, 30l behind Millie The Filly (10-5) at Ayr 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Nov.
Floodlight Fantasy 25-1 (11-7) Led, headed after 2nd, chased leader until 5th, soon ridden, weakened 2 out, 4th of 8, 16l behind Mujamead (10-6) at Leicester 2m sll hdl (5) gs in Nov.
Georgedoubleyou (IRE) 200-1 (11-0) Chased clear leader, reminders after 5th, soon struggling, 13th of 16, well behind Moonhawk (10-9) at Carlisle 2m 1f mdn hdl (5) hvy in Nov.
