mid-division, mistake 3rd, progress to chase leaders approaching 7th, lost place before 3 out, behind when pulled up before last
mid-division, headway to chase leaders 13th, ridden to challenge 3 out, stayed on same pace after next
chasing leaders when fell 5 out
disputed lead until overall leader 13th, headed 4 out, rallied after next, no extra closing stages
held up in rear, outpaced 9th, rallied 6 out, chased leaders 3 out, kept on under pressure
tracked leaders, led 4 out, not fluent 2 out, hard ridden approaching last, kept on well
disputed lead until lost place 13th, blundered 15th, soon weakened, in rear when fell 2 out
in rear, struggling from 4th, behind when pulled up before 3 out
Ask Paddy won twice here over hurdles last season and also at Catterick but makes his fencing bow off a high enough mark. Smiling Jessica is tried in blinkers after back-to-back seconds at Southwell and Doncaster and has place claims again. Pinch Of Ginger is likely to do better now tackling fences and Dick Darsie is possibly better than he’s shown so far but KINGS ECLIPSE gets the nod with Brian Hughes keeping faith with Andrew Wilson’s gelding, who did win a point last year.
The Horsechesnut (IRE) 12-1 (11-12) Led, blundered 1st, pulled up before next, at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Ask Paddy (IRE) 15-8fav (12-1) Led, headed before 3 out, soon weakened, 6th of 10, 31 3/4l behind Jester Jet (11-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Mar.
Pinch Of Ginger (IRE) 9-4 (11-2) Tracked leader, led before 2 out, soon pressed, ridden and headed before last, well held in 3rd after, 3rd of 8, 17l behind Right Of Reply (11-2) at Hexham 2m 7f mdn (5) gd in May.
Wood Pigeon (IRE) 5-2fav (11-12) Held up towards rear, ridden after 4 out, never dangerous, 6th of 11, 19 1/4l behind Rivabodiva (11-9) at Ayr 3m hcp (5) sft in Oct.
Dick Darsie (IRE) 10-3 (11-12) Held up behind, ridden after 5 out, no impression when blundered and unseated rider after next, at Uttoxeter 3m hcp (5) sft in Oct.
Kings Eclipse (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway halfway, chased leaders 3 out, stayed on same pace closing stages, 4th of 13, 2l behind Chu Chu Percy (12-2) at Newcastle 3m hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Smiling Jessica (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) Prominent early, chased leaders, mistake 3rd, struggling 8th, behind and driven after 13th, stayed on from 3 out, went 2nd flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 11, 17l behind Attention Please (10-4) at Doncaster 3m 2f hcp (5) gs in Dec.
Inchcolm (IRE) 20-1 (10-7) Behind, effort before 4 out, weakened from 3 out, 6th of 16, 36 3/4l behind Golden Investment (12-0) at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) gs in Nov.
