chased leader, led 2 out, ridden approaching last, kept on well
held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden approaching last, one pace
chased leaders, hit 6th, ridden approaching last, one pace
held up, headway approaching 3 out, ridden approaching last, kept on to chase winner, run-in, no impression
led, headed and blundered 2 out, soon weakened
held up in 4th, ridden and weakened at 7th, tailed off when fell 2 out
Ormello gets the confident vote in this handicap chase with Schinken Otto and Medison rating the main dangers. The selection won well last time out when beating Bestofthebrownies, that form has since been franked and despite his penalty he is taken to win again. Schinken Otto rates the main danger as he is well weighted on his best form and was a good winner from Yankee Holiday last time he again has conditions to suit and he will not be far away. Medison was a fair third behind Nevertika last time and he will appreciate this better ground so he should be watched in the market. Almaydan looks weighted up to his best while while Kentucky Blue is sure to have come on for his latest run but for the winner we return to Ormello.
Almaydan 8-1 (11-2) Towards rear, headway 9th, stayed on from last, never dangerous, 5th of 13, 9l behind Roman Ark (11-12) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Nov.
Ormello (FR) 5-2fav (11-10) In rear, blundered 4th, went 2nd 5 out, ridden approaching 3 out, not fluent when led last, kept on well, won at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Nov beating Bestofthebrownies (11-12) by 2l, 6 ran.
Mr Prickle (IRE) 12-1 (11-9) Always behind, 9th of 12, well behind Lofty Leader (9-9) at Perth 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd in May.
Kentucky Blue (IRE) 10-1 (11-2) Held up, headway to lead 8th, hit 4 out, headed 2 out, soon beaten, 7th of 11, 10l behind Tous Chez (11-2) at Carlisle 2m nov chs (3) gd in Oct.
Schinken Otto (IRE) 6-4fav (11-4) Led after 1st, made rest, driven 2 out, ridden and stayed on flat, won at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gf in Nov beating Yankee Holiday (11-1) by 1l, 5 ran.
Raffles (FR) 20-1 (11-6) Held up in touch, chased clear leader from 2nd, lost place approaching 5 out, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Ormello (11-10) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in Nov, 6 ran.
Medison (FR) 5-2jt-fav (11-6) Led to 2 out, soon no extra, 3rd of 6, 17l behind Nevertika (11-0) at Hexham 2m nov chs (3) gs in Nov.
