tracked leaders, weakened before 2 out
led, mistake 2nd, headed after 3 out, ridden and weakened from next
prominent, headway to chase leader 4 out, led after 3 out, ridden and headed last, one pace
towards rear, headway before 3 out, went 3rd and ridden before 2 out, no impression
towards rear, ridden before 3 out, never dangerous
in touch, one pace from 2 out, no impression
in touch, one pace from 2 out, no impression
tracked leader, mistake 4th, soon lost 2nd place, regained 2nd before 2 out, led last, kept on well
behind, weakened before 3 out, tailed off
Divine Port is penalised for an earlier win at Carlisle and Wilcos Mo Chara also has 7lb more to carry for landing the odds on his hurdling debut at Bangor. The latter could figure again but APTERIX gets another chance in this. Brian Ellison's charge was travelling as well as the eventual winner when falling at the last at Musselburgh earlier this month and a conditional's 7lb allowance further helps his cause today. Bennylicious faded badly in the closing stages at Hexham last time but still looks best of the rest.
Divine Port (USA) 9-4 (11-5) Took keen hold, tracking leading pair, went 2nd approaching 4th (normal 4 out), lost 2nd on long run after last (normal 3 out), no chance with leading duo and kept on same pace in 3rd before omitted last, 3rd of 7, 12l behind U Name It (10-5) at Carlisle 2m 3f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) sft in Nov.
Wilcos Mo Chara (IRE) 1-4fav (10-12) Made all, hit 2 out, unchallenged, eased towards finish, comfortable, won at Bangor 2m 1f nov hdl (4) sft in Nov beating Pied Du Roi (10-12) by 2 3/4l, 3 ran.
Apterix (FR) 13-2 (11-0) Tracked leader, led 5 out, pressed and narrow lead when fell last, in a race won by Arabic History (11-0) at Musselburgh 2m mdn hdl (5) gd, 8 ran.
Bells Of Castor (IRE) 150-1 (10-12) Always towards rear, tailed off when mistake 5th, 12th of 15, well behind Aqalim (10-12) at Huntingdon 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft.
Bennylicious (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) Held up towards rear, headway 4th, left 2nd 3 out, weakened before last, 5th of 9, 26l behind Chieftain's Choice (10-12) at Hexham 2m NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) hvy in Nov.
Crinkle Crags (IRE) 80-1 (11-0) Always behind, 16th of 18, well behind Cardinal Walter (11-0) at Doncaster 2m mdn hdl (5) sft.
Resolute Reformer (IRE) 28-1 (10-12) Raced wide held up in rear, headway on outside before last (normal 3 out), one pace and no impression bypassing 2 out, 5th of 7, 27l behind U Name It (10-5) at Carlisle 2m 3f NH nov hdl 4-6yo (4) sft in Nov.
River Bollin 12-1 (10-4) Towards rear, headway before 2 out, chased winner last, no impression, 2nd of 8, 23l behind Classic Move (11-8) at Catterick 2m 3f NH nov hdl (4-7yo) (4) hvy in Jan.
Smooth Stepper 25-1 (10-9) Towards rear, weakened after 4 out, hampered and unseated last, in a race won by The Grey Taylor (11-5) at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Nov, 15 ran.
Spring Back 100-1 (10-5) Held up in rear, pushed along before 4 out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, well behind Aniknam (10-12) at Hexham 2m nov hdl (4) hvy.
