chased leaders, reminders 8th, lost place 10th, behind when pulled up before 12th
made all, ridden after 2 out, stayed on under pressure flat
held up behind, sturggling 10th, pulled up before 12th
mid-division, ridden 4 out, outpaced when hit next, never on terms
mid-division, blundered and reminders 9th, headway to chase leaders next, lost place 4 out, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, outpaced approaching 3 out, weakened from next
held up, headway 10th, effort 2 out, hung left approaching last, ridden and no extra flat
tracked winner throughout, ridden to challenge 2 out, kept on under pressure flat
Nonrunner
Stoneriggs Merc who has found one too good in each of his last two starts is bound to have his supporters he has yet to prove his effectiveness on ground this testing and preference is for Gunner Royal, with Mistral De La Cour rated the pick of the remainder. Formerly with John Wade but now with Howard Johnson, the selection has shown winning form in point-to-points since leaving Wade's care and ran promisingly on his debut for Johnson over hurdles at Catterick over a year ago. The stable have their team in good form so lack of a recent run need not be of concern and Gunner Royal looks worth chancing. Peter Niven's Nabir is back to a winning mark and has to be considered but recent form is not encouraging, while Banchory Two has given little cause for optimism so far and looks best watched. Mistral De La Cour has not won for three years but has slipped to a decent mark and has shown glimmers of form of late so has to be respected. Preference though is for Gunner Royal, who may be worth chancing on his reappearance.
Nabir (FR) 9-1 (10-9) Held up in rear, mistake 7th, soon outpaced, 4th of 9, 25l behind Whatcanyasay (9-9) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Dec.
Jeringa 22-1 (10-9) Towards rear, struggling halfway, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by The Gleaner (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Dec, 12 ran.
High Commission 100-1 (11-0) In touch, mistake 7th, soon outpaced, rallied 9th, in touch when fell 3 out in race won by Water Taxi (11-0) at Kelso 2m 1f beg chs (4) gs in Nov, 6 ran.
Gunner Royal 4-1fav (10-8) Held up, reminders 11th, headway on outside 14th, weakened after 4 out, 5th of 10, 15l behind Rival Bidder (10-12) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Nov '06.
Stoneriggs Merc (IRE) 9-4fav (9-9) Tracked leaders, close up 10th, smooth headway to lead after 14th, ridden from 2 out, kept on until one pace close home and headed post, 2nd of 12, shd behind Mister Jungle (10-7) at Musselburgh 3m hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Dec.
Tipp Mid West (IRE) 22-1 (10-12) Prominent, led 8th to 11th, blundered 16th, weakened 18th, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Tomillielou (10-10) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Dec, 14 ran.
Justwhateverulike (IRE) 25-1 (10-5) Towards rear when unseated rider 5 out in race won by Prince Balthasar (10-10) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Nov, 13 ran.
Shulmin 8-1 (10-3) Chased leaders, kept on same pace from 4 out, 5th of 15, 11l behind Got The Gift (10-9) at Sedgefield 3m 3f cnd hcp chs (5) gd in Nov.
Banchory Two (IRE) 12-1 (11-3) Tracked leaders, ridden and lost place 4 out, soon beaten, last of 9, 45l behind Barton Sun (10-10) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Nov.
Mistral De La Cour (FR) 33-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, weakened halfway, 9th of 14, well behind Smart Man (10-12) at Sedgefield 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Dec.
