close up, ridden 3 out, mistake last, kept on one pace and lost 3rd close home
towards rear, pushed along 9th, ridden 3 out, never on terms
tracked leaders, pushed along 9th, ridden 3 out, weakened before next
in touch, wide and headway 3 out, ridden next, soon chased clear winner, stayed on one pace
led, ridden and headed 2 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway 12th, led 2 out, soon clear, ran on
in touch, pushed along 12th, ridden and weakened 3 out
tracked leader, every chance 3 out, ridden next, stayed on to go 3rd close home
close up early, soon in rear, pushed along 9th, weakened 3 out
Newberry New was second off this mark at Leicester in March but usually needs a run. Cash Again was a winner when last seen over fences but Joie De Vivre, Fox's Socks and Esme Shelby are all having a first run over the larger obstacles. BALRANALD (NAP) came with a wet sail to overhaul Aire Valley Lad over track and trip less than a year ago and is now 7lb better off. Alison Hamilton’s six-year-old should be approaching peak fitness after a couple of fair runs off higher marks over hurdles at Kelso. Quiet Flow is worth a second look while Rocco Storm won by 12 lengths at Hexham, though is 12lb higher.
Joie De Vivre (IRE) 6-1 (11-5) Mid-division, headway chasing leaders before 3 out, plugged on same pace run-in, went 3rd close home, 3rd of 13, 6 3/4l behind Wor Verge (12-0) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (5) gs in Oct.
Esme Shelby (IRE) 4-1 (11-11) Chased leaders, dropped to mid-division 3rd, ridden 3 out, no impression 2 out, 7th of 10, 33 1/2l behind Lime Drop (11-0) at Leicester 2m hcp (5) gs in Dec.
Aire Valley Lad 12-1 (10-8) Led and disputed, headed 7th, chased leader until 3 out, chased leaders, weakened before next, 5th of 9, 23 3/4l behind Mulberry Hill (11-7) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Cash Again (FR) 17-2 (10-5) Chased leaders on inside, ridden and beaten 2 out, 3rd and well held last, 3rd of 8, 13 3/4l behind I Am Spider Man (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Fox's Socks (FR) 7-2 (10-4) Led, joined 2 out, soon headed, 4th and no impression last, 4th of 5, 19 3/4l behind Bon Retour (12-0) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Sep.
Rocco Storm (IRE) 15-2 (10-9) Tracked leaders, joined leaders 3 out, led next, clear last, stayed on strongly, won at Hexham 2m hcp (5) sft in Oct beating Graystown (11-7) by 12l, 6 ran.
Balranald (FR) 16-1 (11-3) Mid-division, headway chasing leaders before omitted 2 out, ridden and weakened after bypassing omitted last, 5th of 13, 8 3/4l behind Rickety Gate (11-2) at Kelso 2m 5f hcp (5) gd in Oct.
Quiet Flow 22-1 (10-9) Rear mid-division, awkward 4th, went prominent 9th, every chance before last, ridden run-in, no impression, 2nd of 9, 4l behind Big Changes (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp (5) gd in Oct.
Newberry New (IRE) 12-1 (10-6) Tracked winner, not fluent 4 out, ridden 2 out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 7, 1 1/2l behind Out The Glen (11-11) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp (5) gs in Mar.
