tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on one pace
always towards rear
led, hit 3 out, ridden approaching next, headed and no extra run-in
mid-division, ridden after 3 out, kept on from approaching last to lead run-in, driven out
towards rear, ridden and chased leaders 3 out, gradually weakened from next
mid-division, reminders after 6th, ridden and weakened from 4 out, soon beaten
towards rear, ridden 4 out, soon beaten
mid-division, reminders after 3rd, hit 7th and weakened quickly and pulled up before next
always behind
tracked leader, ridden 3 out, held when blundered 2 out and one pace after
A poor contest where it is possible to pick holes in the form of everything and we¿ll take a punt on DE BOITRON to win it for Ferdy Murphy, while Justwhateverulike might prove the danger. The selection won over a similar trip to this twice on bottomless ground in his native France and it was perhaps expected that with the yard's runners not firing when he made his British debut at Uttoxeter in October that he wouldn't be winning. However, by the time of his next run the West Witton inmates were performing better, so it was a bit disappointing that we didn't see more from the gelding at Newcastle last time. He has dropped a total of 6lbs for those two defeats and with those two runs under his belt we are hoping that he will be primed up and ready to win us a Christmas bonus today. Justwhateverulike has gone up 1lb after running well in defeat here last time out. He acts well here and has won over course and distance, but he is definitely better on a sound surface and looks no good thing. Andy Anshan represents a powerful yard but this trip looks a bit short for him and good ground is his bag, while Grand Manner, who has ability in the context of this race, would prefer it even quicker than that. Stagecoach Amber is another for whom ground conditions are a definite concern but he will at least be better for a recent Wetherby spin, but for today De Boitron is the tentative pick.
Bob's Dream (IRE) 22-1 (10-11) Held up in touch, ridden and no impression from 2 out, 5th of 9, 15l behind Palomar (11-0) at Kelso 2m 1f beg chs (4) sft in Nov.
Andy Anshan (IRE) 9-2 (11-1) Always behind, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by By George (10-7) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd in Nov, 12 ran.
Stagecoach Amber (USA) 5-1 (10-4) Always behind, mistakes, 6th of 8, 50l behind Kilmackilloge (11-11) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Justwhateverulike (IRE) 16-1 (11-2) Held up mid-division, chased leaders approaching 3 out, stayed on from last, 3rd of 13, 3l behind Whatcanyasay (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft.
De Boitron (FR) 6-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 5 out, ridden after next, weakened 2 out, 5th of 8, 35l behind Wot Way Chief (11-11) at Newcastle 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Bright Sparky (GER) 9-1 (10-4) Behind, blundered 4th and 6th, never dangerous, 8th of 9, well behind Stormy Beech (10-9) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Nov.
Malt de Vergy (FR) 17-2 (10-5) Held up, headway approaching 7th, weakened 4 out, tailed off when pulled up at the 10th in race won by Loita Hills (11-12) at Market Rasen 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in May, 9 ran.
Mister Jungle (FR) 14-1 (10-4) Led, headed and reminders 9th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out pulled up 2 out in race won by Ryminster (10-11) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gd in Mar, 9 ran.
Grand Manner (IRE) 8-1 (10-2) Mid-division, weakened approaching 2 out, 11th of 13, 37l behind Naughty By Nature (11-5) at Bangor 2m 1f cnd hcp hdl 0-100 (4) sft.
Red Dawn (IRE) 28-1 (9-11) Chased leaders, took closer order 7th, one pace from 2 out, 5th of 9, 4 1/2l behind More Like It (11-2) at Catterick 2m hcp chs (4) gs.
