tracked leader, led 4th, headed 4 out, soon weakened
mid-division outside, lost place and reminders 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, lost place 5th, soon behind
behind, short lived effort after 10th, no impression from 3 out
mid-division on inside, headway 9th, ridden 2 out, led last, stayed on well
led to 4th, chased leader until lost place 7th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up after 3 out
mid-division ridden and weakened 10th
mid-division, hit 9th, headway next, effort 3 out, ridden and weakened next
in touch, effort 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
tracked leaders, joined leaders 7th, led 4 out, headed after next, soon one pace
held up, headway 10th, led after 3 out, ridden and headed last no extra flat
close up on outside, lost place 10th, soon behind
mid-division, 5th and no impression when blundered 2 out
chased leaders to 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
held up, headway 8th, outpaced 10th, behind when slipped on bend approaching 2 out
This is a very tricky contest and a narrow vote is given to Top Cloud, Loaded Dice and Crackleando may be the main rivals. The selection showed a real liking for this track when successful over course and distance on Boxing Day. He battled on in good style that day and similar courage today should see him go very close. Loaded Dice was well behind on that occasion but had every chance before clouting the third last. With an error free round today he should be thereabouts. Crackleando showed improved form when stepped up to this trip last time out and should be vying for some place money. The best of the rest could be Oscar The Boxer but in a very competitive race Top Cloud just edges the decision.
Piraeus (NZ) 8-1 (11-2) Held up, lost touch 3 out, 4th of 5, well behind Dom d'Orgeval (11-8) at Hexham 3m 1f nov chs (3) sft.
Top Cloud (IRE) 10-11fav (10-9) Held up in touch, headway 10th, led approaching 3 out, headed next, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure to lead again near finish, won at Sedgefield 3m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec beating Ice Tea (10-9) by 1/2l, 6 ran.
Em's Royalty 12-1 (11-1) Prominent, outpaced from 8th, soon beaten, 9th of 13, well behind Allegedly So (10-12) at Newcastle 3m nov hdl (3) sft in Jan.
Loaded Dice (IRE) 14-1 (10-5) Tracked leader, every chance when mistake 3 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 6, 24l behind Top Cloud (10-9) at Sedgefield 3m 3f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Our Joycey 12-1 (9-12) Chased leader until weakened 9th, 8th of 11, 38l behind Sir Bathwick (10-1) at Southwell 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gs in Dec.
Oscar The Boxer (IRE) 7-1 (10-0) Held up, outpaced after 7th, kept on from 2 out, never dangerous, 4th of 12, 15l behind Great Approach (10-5) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-120 (3) gd.
Crackleando 8-1 (11-2) Mid-division, outpaced 4th, well behind 4 out, rallied after 2 out, stayed on to chase winner flat, 2nd of 14, 7l behind Storymaker (11-3) at Kelso 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Jan.
Westmorland (IRE) 25-1 (11-5) Mid-division, lost place 4th, no danger after, 7th of 14, well behind Storymaker (11-3) at Kelso 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Jan.
