in touch, ridden 3 out, stayed on approaching last, no extra towards finish
mid-division, headway 8th, led 9th, soon ridden and headed, every chance from 3 out until jumped slowly last, stayed on towards finish
never better than mid-division
mid-division, mistake 1st, headway 6th, led 8th to 9th, weakened 3 out
always towards rear, tailed off when pulled up before 9th
mid-division, headway 5th, ridden after 9th, weakened 2 out
chased leaders to 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
held up, headway after 8th, ridden after next, weakened approaching 2 out
led to 5th, weakened 7th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
prominent, led 5th to 7th, weakened 9th, tailed off when pulled up before last
always behind
jumped right 2nd, always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
always towards rear
chased leaders, led 7th to 8th, led again after 9th, ridden 3 out, all out
hampered 2nd, always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
prominent to 7th
held up and keen, headway 8th, ridden approaching 3 out, soon weakened
always towards rear
towards rear, pushed along after 3rd, kept on from 3 out, never dangerous
mid-division, headway 6th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened quickly, tailed off when pulled up before last
Pearly Star, Classic Rock and Star of Germany are the three to look at here and Pearly Star gets the vote. Classic Rock took a novices' handicap chase in fine style and then followed that win with a disappointing effort on a return visit to the track. he is best watched here. Star of Germany won a seller a couple of years ago but stepped up on that form when a good third in a handicap hurdle last time. He can run well off top weight. Pearly Star is less exposed than the rest of his rivals and shaped well in a novices' contest last time. That was only selling class, but he appears well treated here and Pearly Star can lead them home.
Star of Germany (IRE) 25-1 (10-0) Keen, mid-division, headway 7th, ridden approaching 2 out, chased winner last until no extra towards finish, 3rd of 16, 3 1/2l behind Rare Coincidence (11-9) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Sept.
Harry Collins 10-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 4 out, jumped right 3 out, soon weakened, 4th of 12, 30l behind Rothbury (11-10) at Wetherby 2m 7f cnd nov hcp hdl (4) sft in Oct.
Pearly Star 7-2fav (11-0) Chased leaders, ridden to chase winner approaching 2 out, weakened flat, 3rd of 12, 11l behind Longstone Lady (10-2) at Exeter 2m 1f nov sll hdl (5) gs in Mar.
Solway Sunset 6-1 (10-6) Towards rear, reminder halfway, headway 4th, effort last, weakened flat, 6th of 13, 37l behind College City (10-9) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gs in Oct.
Lescer's Lad 66-1 (10-0) Always towards rear, 8th of 13, 12l behind Almizan (11-9) at Fontwell 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Celtic Vision (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Prominent, led 8th, ridden and headed approaching 2 out, weakened last, 7th of 8, 13l behind Huckster (11-10) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gf in Sept.
Classic Rock 4-1jt-fav (11-0) Not fluent in last, well behind from 12th, tailed off and pulled up in race won by Meehan (11-0) at Worcester 2m 7f nov chs (4) gd in Jun, 11 ran.
Silver Dagger 13-2 (11-5) Mistakes, soon towards rear, lost touch halfway, 6th of 8, well behind Shannon's Pride (11-8) at Hexham 2m 4f cnd hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs.
