held up in rear, blundered 6th, headway 10th, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened next
held up in touch, good headway to lead 8th, blundered and headed 11th, weakened approaching 3 out
held up, hit 5th, headway to go prominent 9th, weakened quickly 11th, pulled up before next
led, blundered and hit 7th, weakened 11th, pulled up before 12th
tracked leaders, led 7th, headed next, led again 11th, ridden and under pressure 2 out, upsides last, hard ridden flat, just held on
held up, headway to track leaders after 4th, ridden approaching 3 out, every chance 2 out, upside to last, ran on
close up, lost place from 9th, soon struggling
Tollbrae would have to be of interest if fit enough for his return but Howard Johnson's gelding has been off the track for 13 months and may be best watched on his return so preference is for King Barry, who gets the vote ahead of Mistral De La Cour. The last mentioned showed improved form at Haydock last month and has solid claims off just a 1lb higher mark today. Sue Bradburne's South Bronx remains on a fair mark and has more solid claims than Through The Rye, who gave little sign for encouragement on his return at Wetherby last month. Master Sebastian is hard to recommend on recent evidence and preference is for winning pointer King Barry, who looks to be well treated judged by his form between the flags and his win at Catterick last month.
Through The Rye 5-1 (11-9) Led, headed approaching 5th, weakened after 4 out, last of 6, well behind Bob Justice (11-3) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (C) hvy in Dec.
South Bronx (IRE) 12-1 (11-6) Tracked leaders, led 8th to 11th, remained in touch, challenged after 2 out, ridden and kept on flat, not reach winner, 2nd of 8, 2 1/2l behind Mel In Blue (10-7) at Kelso 2m 6f nov chs (C) gs in Dec.
Tollbrae (IRE) 7-2fav (11-7) In touch, led 3 out, ridden and headed approaching next, weakened and blundered approaching last, 4th of 7, 21l behind Christopher (11-6) at Aintree 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) sft in Nov '04.
Mistral De La Cour (FR) 10-1 (11-3) Chased leader, led after 4 out, ridden and headed 2 out, one pace flat, 2nd of 6, 3l behind Nowator (11-9) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-125 (D) sft in Dec.
Master Sebastian 14-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, pushed along 5 out, outpaced when left 3rd 2 out, 3rd of 7, 15l behind Portavadie (11-2) at Newcastle 2m nov chs (C) hvy in Dec.
King Barry (FR) 9-2 (11-0) Always prominent, ridden 2 out, stayed on to lead close home, won at Catterick 2m 3f mdn chs (F) gd in Dec beating Lord Payne (11-0) by 3/4l, 16 ran.
Hugo de Grez (FR) 12-1 (10-3) Tracked leaders, weakening when mistake 13th, 5th of 9, 48l behind Silver Knight (10-6) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-135 (C) sft in Nov.
