tracked winner and keen, ridden and weakened before 2 out
held up towards rear, mistake 1st, weakened before 6th, soon pulled up
held up mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, weakened soon after
held up mid-division, headway after 6th, ridden before 3 out, weakened soon after, pulled up before last
in rear, ran out 4th
held up towards rear on outer, struggling from 9th, went poor 4th from 2 out, never dangerous
tracked leaders, pushed along and lodt place before 7th, weakened before 9th, pulled up before 3 out
held up towards rear, pushed along after 3rd, struggling from 6th
held up mid-division on outer, headway after 6th, hit 7th, hit 9th, chased winner approaching and jumped left 2 out, no impression
chased leaders on inner, went 3rd before 2 out, no impression
made all, clear from 9th, unchallenged, very easily
held up towards rear, struggling from 6th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
Harps Counsel, a winner twice between the flags, was a fair third in a similar contest at Musselburgh in November and is one for the short-list here along with Uttoxeter third Oniz Tiptoes, who stays well. Midnight Diamond was second off this mark over fences at Lingfield last time but has a very modest strike rate and lacks the scope of PADDYS HONOUR. Lucinda Russell's gelding has run several decent races over slightly shorter trips and is finally being shown some leniency by the handicapper. He wouldn't have to improve a great deal to land this. French Ties is 5lb higher than landing this 12 months ago but hasn't had much racing since and is an obvious danger if his run at Warwick in November blew away a few cobwebs.
Harps Counsel (IRE) 28-1 (11-9) Jumped left, led approaching 2nd, headed 3 out, 3rd and beaten last, 3rd of 10, 8l behind Buckstruther (10-10) at Musselburgh 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gd in Nov.
Border Flora 6-1 (11-10) Held up mid-division, headway approaching 7th, ridden to challenge approaching last, one pace after, 3rd of 15, 4 1/2l behind Too Cool To Fool (11-3) at Ayr 3m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs.
Greenandredparson (IRE) 33-1 (11-7) Mid-division, 13th halfway, ridden and no impression 3 out, kept on one pace, 12th of 19, 23l behind White Star Line (11-7) at Naas 2m 3f mdn hdl sft.
Paddys Honour (IRE) 16-1 (11-10) Tracked leader, ridden before 2 out, no impression, 6th of 15, 13l behind Too Cool To Fool (11-3) at Ayr 3m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs.
French Ties (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) In touch until 5th, soon towards rear, tailed off, 9th of 14, 49l behind Salpierre (11-9) at Warwick 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Nov.
Oniz Tiptoes (IRE) 4-1 (11-5) Held up mid-division on outer, outpaced 8th, kept on from 3 out, went 3rd approaching next, kept on and no impression, 3rd of 8, 25l behind Celian (11-12) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Dec.
Quay Meadow (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, reminders after 7th, weakened next, tailed off, pulled up after 2 out, in a race won by Celian (11-12) at Uttoxeter 3m hcp hdl 0-95 (5) hvy in Dec, 8 ran.
Easter Vic 80-1 (11-2) Mid-division, pushed along and lost place from 4th, 10th of 14, 50l behind Quay Meadow (10-2) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Mar.
Ontrack (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Prominent, lost place and mid-division 5th, reminders after next, weakened when hit 2 out, 8th of 15, 15l behind Too Cool To Fool (11-3) at Ayr 3m nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs.
Melua Maid (IRE) 66-1 (11-4) With leaders on outside until mistake and lost place 3rd, soon behind, no danger after, tailed off, 10th of 13, well behind Bianco Fuji (11-4) at Leicester 2m 4f mdn hdl (4) sft.
Midnight Diamond (IRE) 4-1fav (10-6) Led unti slow and headed 1st, slow and reminders next, driven along throughout and chased leaders, lost place before 9th, headway next, chased winner 14th, no extra and held from 2 out, 2nd of 6, 5l behind Miss Fleur (11-7) at Lingfield 3m nov hcp chs 0-90 (5) sft in Nov.
Beau Peak 22-1 (10-5) Always behind, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Cinaman (10-3) at Carlisle 3m 1f am nov hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Nov '09, 12 ran.
