in touch, mistake and lost place 4th, ridden 5 out, never on terms
mid-division, lost place 8th, behind when pulled up before 11th
led to 8th, chased leaders, weakened 4 out
chased leaders, outpaced 9th, ridden and kept on from 2 out, no impression
always prominent, ridden and every chance 2 out, one pace flat
in touch, challenged 4 out, led before next, soon ridden, kept on until headed and no extra flat
soon behind, pulled up before 10th
in touch, outpaced when hit 4 out, soon weakened
in touch, ridden to chase leaders 4 out, weakened next
held up, mistake 3rd, ridden 4 out, never dangerous
held up and behind, headway 11th, ridden and edged left approaching last, stayed on under pressure to lead flat
always behind, mistake 10th, pulled up before next
mid-division, lost place 8th, soon struggling, no chance when blundered last
tracked leader, led 8th, ridden 4 out, headed before next, soon one pace
A tricky race for punters can go to The Miner, with Scotmail Lad looking the best of the mediocre rest. The selection was still travelling well when falling last time out, but before that he had shown consistently good form and looks a solid selection. The worry must be that he is on a losing streak lasting 24 races, however this is a weak race and he holds obvious claims. Scotmail Lad is another consistent gelding, and his third last-time-out over course and distance showed that he still retains some ability at the ripe old age of 13. On ground that he handles, he makes the shortlist, along with Baligrundle. His hurdles form is certainly not something to get carried away with, however making his chasing debut today he could go well at a decent price. Perfect Punch also hold claims based on his third to Iloveturtle last month so goes on the shortlist, however we will tentatively return to The Miner to dig deep and land the spoils.
Tagar (FR) 16-1 (10-5) Towards rear and mistakes, hampered 4 out, lost touch from next, 6th of 9, well behind Aztec Prince (10-0) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) hvy.
Perfect Punch 8-1 (11-12) Mid-division, outpaced 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on from last, 3rd of 11, 2l behind Iloveturtle (10-12) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs (5) hvy.
Very Very Noble (IRE) 33-1 (10-13) Led until blundered and unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by Cloudmor (11-8) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy, 10 ran.
Lauderdale 9-1 (10-7) Held up, ridden and outpaced 4 out, never on terms, 4th of 7, well behind Loulou Nivernais (10-8) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy.
Day du Roy (FR) 33-1 (11-4) In touch, headway 10th, close up when fell 3 out in race won by Anshabil (11-9) at Hereford 2m 3f hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Dec, 17 ran.
The Miner 11-2fav (11-6) Chased leaders, close 3rd when fell at the 7th in race won by Young Smokey (11-10) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs (5) sft, 12 ran.
Henry Hammond (IRE) 33-1 (12-0) Bhnd til hdwy 11; wknd 15; pulled up 5 out in race won by Home By Midnight (11-7) at Chaddesley Corb' 3m ptp gd in May, 13 ran.
Scotmail Lad (IRE) 12-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, mistake 4 out, kept on from next, 3rd of 12, 10l behind Young Smokey (11-10) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs (5) sft.
Hollows Mist 10-1 (9-9) Always towards rear, 7th of 12, well behind Barracat (9-10) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Nov.
Glenfarclas Boy (IRE) 10-1 (11-3) Towards rear, weakened 8th, 5th of 12, 21l behind Young Smokey (11-10) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs (5) sft.
Baligrundle 33-1 (10-0) Mid-division, headway 4 out, led and quickened before next, 4 lengths clear 2 out, ridden and headed after last, no extra, 3rd of 10, 8l behind Over To Joe (10-0) at Newcastle 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft.
Magic Bengie 200-1 (10-11) Chased leaders, outpaced when unseated rider at the 9th in race won by Faasel (11-2) at Catterick 2m 3f beg chs (4) sft, 10 ran.
Mr Laggan 66-1 (9-9) In touch, outpaced 4 out, weakened approaching next, 5th of 13, 18l behind Emerald Destiny (10-3) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Dec.
Dashing Charm 200-1 (10-9) Raced keen, led from 2nd until 6th, lost place 4 out, 7th of 10, 47l behind Faasel (11-2) at Catterick 2m 3f beg chs (4) sft.
