mid-division, headway 4 out, challenged when blundered badly next, kept on one pace from 2 out
mid-division, ridden 4 out, never dangerous
held up, ridden 8th, behind and pulled up 3 out
held up, headway 3 out, soon ridden and beaten
led, ridden and headed approaching 3 out, soon driven and no extra
held up, headway 3 out, challenged last, no extra close home
held up, reminder 6th, tailed up and pulled up before 3 out
not fluent in rear, ridden 4 out, soon behind
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, soon driven and weakened
prominent, lost place 6th, stayed on from 3 out, never nearer
prominent, lost pace 8th, soon no impression
mid-division, mistake 7th, led approaching 3 out, held on gamely from last
SHERIFF HUTTON gets the nod to defy the handicapper and make it two wins on the bounce with Echo Point and Mickmacmagoole looking the other leading contenders. The selection may be up eight pounds for his last time out victory but is unexposed enough to have that improvement within him. Based on his last run he is still ahead of the handicapper after he idled in front to win by a length over a longer trip, which made it three victories in the last four starts. Echo Point ran a little keenly to land a runners-up spot on his seasonal reappearance but was eye-catching enough to suggest a trip to the winner's enclosure will be coming soon. The form from that race is OK at best but he should be in the mix come the finish. Mickmacmagoole found life far too tough off this mark in a better race last time and although he seems in the grip of the handicapper after his win on his penultimate start he should at least be competitive in this company. Smugglers Bay and Terenzium also have claims on recent starts but Sheriff Hutton has the verdict.
Tighten Your Belt (IRE) 11-1 (11-9) Prominent, outpaced 4 out, 5th and beaten when fell at the last in race won by Terenzium (10-3) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft, 8 ran.
Reel Charmer 17-2 (10-7) Prominent, not fluent 2nd, ridden when hit 2 out, soon beaten, 6th of 8, 18l behind Mobaasher (11-0) at Cheltenham 3m hdl (2) gd in Apr.
Echo Point (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, every chance 2 out, ridden and soon one pace, 2nd of 13, 11l behind Twelve Paces (9-8) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Mirjan (IRE) 9-2 (11-8) Prominent, lost place 7th, headway approaching 3 out, went 2nd after last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 16, 10l behind Albany (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 6f cnd clm hdl (5) gd in Nov.
Sheriff Hutton (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Chased leaders, went 2nd 4 out, led approaching 3 out, hit next, not fluent last, kept on under pressure, won at Doncaster 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd beating Solway Minstrel (10-8) by 1l, 14 ran.
Brave Rebellion 5-1 (10-9) Held up in touch, headway approaching 4 out to chase leaders, jumped badly right 2 out when weakening and refused at the last in race won by Merigo (10-4) at Doncaster 3m hcp chs 0-150 (2) sft, 9 ran.
Mickmacmagoole (IRE) 9-1 (11-1) Mid-division, mistake 5th, ridden and weakened next, 13th of 17, 31l behind Culcabock (11-0) at Cheltenham 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) gs.
Smugglers Bay (IRE) 17-2 (11-11) Held up mid-division headway to chase winner 6th, challenged 3 out, upsides next, narrow lead last, headed last 50 yards, no extra, 2nd of 14, 1l behind Victorias Groom (11-10) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft.
Terenzium (IRE) 14-1 (10-3) In touch, ridden to lead 3 out, kept on gamely from last, won at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft beating Theatre Belle (11-0) by a nk, 8 ran.
Boris The Blade 11-1 (11-12) With leader and keen, led last, stayed on well, won at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Nov beating Kirkside Pleasure (11-0) by 3l, 7 ran.
Imtihan (IRE) 15-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, lost place 6th, rallied 2 out, not quicken from last, 4th of 10, 4 1/2l behind Heavenly Chorus (11-3) at Catterick 2m 3f cnd hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd.
Final Veto 7-1 (11-5) Not fluent, led after 1st until 2nd, lost place after next, well behind 7th, tailed off next and pulled up 2 out in race won by John Fenton (10-12) at Southwell 3m nov hdl (4) gf in Aug, 9 ran.
Dan Buoy (FR) 7-1 (11-0) Always towards rear, struggling from 7th, 7th of 10, 40l behind The Very Man (11-0) at Bangor 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft.
