raced towards rear, never dangerous
led, ridden 2 out, pressed and headed well before last, kept on, no extra
chased leaders, dropped to mid-division halfway, soon beaten
towards rear, hampered by faller 3rd, ridden 3f out, stayed on one pace
chased leaders, fell 3rd
tracked leader, ridden 2 out, kept on one pace
tracked leader, ridden and weakened over 3f out
mid-division, chased leaders 4 out, ridden 3 out, weakened 2 out
towards rear, headway into mid-division halfway, chased leaders 3 out, ridden and pressed leader well before last, soon led, stayed on well
towards rear, ridden 3 out, always behind
chased leaders, ridden and one pace 2 out
towards rear, always struggling
Instant Replay is a standing dish here over fences but has never won over hurdles so is passed over, despite a tempting mark. Countister won by eight lengths at Kelso and is preferred to stablemate Demi Sang but she will need to overturn earlier running here with Do No Wrong. Millie The Minx is respected seeking a fourth course victory but THE BLAME GAME has only gone up 2lb for last month’s victory over track and trip and should again beat third Soldier On Parade. Art Of Diplomacy is better than he’s shown so far but will probably need this.
Demi Sang (FR) 9-4fav (11-8) Held up, headway 7th, not fluent 3 out, ridden to challenge after last, went second 2f out, kept on flat, lost second final strides, 3rd of 7, 5 3/4l behind Brotherly Company (11-5) at Cartmel 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Soldier On Parade 17-2 (11-7) Chased leaders, mistake 5th, went 2nd after 2 out until before last where not fluent last, no extra flat, 3rd of 6, 12 3/4l behind The Blame Game (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Instant Replay (IRE) 11-4 (11-5) Tracked leader, not fluent 7th, led 13th, ridden after 2 out, narrow advantage last, pushed out, won at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Sep beating Pardon Me (11-0) by 1 1/2l, 4 ran.
The Blame Game (IRE) 3-1fav (11-0) Chased leaders, not fluent 3rd, pushed along after 3 out, closed to take 2nd when not fluent last, stayed on, led towards finish, won at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Aug beating Beach Break (12-4) by 1 3/4l, 6 ran.
Millie The Minx (IRE) 9-2cfav (9-4) Close up, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, last of 9, 11 3/4l behind De Mazzaro (8-11) at Hamilton 1m 4f hcp (6) gd in Aug.
Countister (FR) 3-1fav (11-9) Chased leader, led before last, soon clear, eased towards finish, won at Kelso 2m 2f hcp (5) gd in Sep beating Hey Bob (10-6) by 8l, 11 ran.
Arkyn (FR) 66-1 (11-6) Rear of mid-division, not fluent 1st, ridden before 4 out, well beaten 3 out, pulled up before 2 out, at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Apr.
Art Of Diplomacy 9-1 (11-11) Held up in mid-division, headway after 9th, ridden to challenge when hit 2 out, every chance when fell last, at Huntingdon 3m 1f hcp (5) gd in Nov.
Just Call Me Al (IRE) 13-2 (11-4) Held up off the pace in last pair, good headway chasing leaders 2 out, ridden and weakened before the last, 4th of 8, 9 1/4l behind Lord Caprio (10-3) at Hexham 2m hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Celestial Sky (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Close up in 4th early, raced in 3rd from before 3rd, mistake 4 out, pushed along under 3 out, closed to challenge before last, no further impression and weakened closing stages, 3rd of 4, 4 1/2l behind Zafar (11-5) at Kelso 2m 5f (4) gd in Sep.
Do No Wrong (IRE) 13-8fav (11-12) Off the pace in mid-division, headway chasing leaders after 3 out, ridden and beaten before next, 7th of 12, 13 3/4l behind Salley Gardens (11-6) at Perth 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Adelphi Prince 13-2 (11-6) Mid-division, pushed along after 3 out, weakened soon after, 7th of 16, 12 3/4l behind Ex S'elance (10-6) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (5) hvy in Feb.
