mid-division, ridden after 4 out, never dangerous
close up and keen, challenged 3 out, led approaching next, under pressure last, held on well towards finish
chased leaders, weakened before 2 out
always towards rear
in touch, ridden and weakened after 3 out, hit last
led, hit 4th, pressed before 3 out, headed before 2 out, weakened approaching and hit last
held up towards rear and pulled hard, never a factor
held up towards rear, blundered 4 out, never dangerous
held up mid-division, reminders after 5th, ridden after 4 out, no impression
held up mid-division on inside, weakened from 4 out
chased leaders, hit 5th, ridden to chase winner before last, soon every chance, no extra last 75 yards
held up towards rear, never dangerous
held up mid-division, blundered 1st, headway after 4 out, weakened after 3 out, mistake 2 out
held up mid-division, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened
After a somewhat disappointing debut over hurdles, RUPERT LAMB got his act together last time and produced a much better display to finish second at Wetherby. Howard Johnson's charge can go one better here with normal improvement. Fortuni was a decent handicapper on the Flat at his best and, if taking to hurdles, should be in the mix while Lady Bluesky shaped well on her belated debut over timber to finish third at Kelso. Kaolak has faced a tough task over hurdles so far but this looks easier.
Checklow (USA) 6-1 (11-0) Tracked winner to 3rd, in touch, outpaced 3 out, one pace and no impression from next, 4th of 14, 15l behind Turbo Island (11-3) at Newcastle 2m nh nov hdl (4) sft in Mar.
Darna 11-4fav (10-11) Keen early,held up in rear, ridden over 3f out, never dangerous, 6th of 10, 27l behind Rocking Blues (11-0) at Kelso 2m NH flat (5) gd in Oct.
Drum Bustible (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, weakened before 3f out, 8th of 15, 48l behind Dark Glacier (11-0) at Kelso 2m NH flat (6) sft in Nov.
Fightstar (FR) 33-1 (10-12) Chased leaders to 4 out, weakened next, tailed off, 10th of 16, well behind Jurisdiction (11-12) at Kelso 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Fortuni (IRE) 5-2fav (9-12) Keen with leader until led over 7f out, ridden over 3f out, headed 2f out, chased winner until weakened final furlong, 5th of 8, 13l behind Harlestone Times (8-4) at Brighton 1m 4f hcp 0-95 (3) gf in Sep (flat).
Kaolak (USA) 12-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway approaching 3 out, not fluent next, weakened before last, 9th of 22, 31l behind Minella Class (11-0) at Newbury 2m mdn hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Mississippian (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Led, raced freely, clear approaching 3rd, headed before 2 out, stopped quickly, mistake last, 6th of 16, 25l behind King Keano (11-0) at Stratford 2m mdn hdl (4) gf in Jun '09.
Mr Lu 9-2fav (9-6) Mid division, headway over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 11, 5l behind Saddlers Bend (9-1) at Wolverhampton 7f hcp 0-60 (6) pol in Nov (flat).
Northern Flame (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Mistakes, mid-division, reminder 3rd, lost place after 6th, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out, in a race won by Jurisdiction (11-12) at Kelso 2m 6f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov, 16 ran.
Parc Des Princes (USA) 22-1 (10-12) Held up towards rear, never dangerous, 9th of 14, 25l behind Dica (10-7) at Musselburgh 2m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Nov.
Rupert Lamb 8-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders and keen, chased winner from 2 out, kept on, always held, 2nd of 18, 2 3/4l behind Palace Jester (10-12) at Wetherby 2m nov hdl (4) sft in Nov.
Suburbia (USA) 100-1 (8-9) Towards rear, ridden over 2f out, soon weakened, last of 12, 32l behind Northside Prince (10-0) at Ayr 1m 2f hcp 0-85 (4) gd in Aug (flat).
Ulysees (IRE) 8-1 (10-7) Always behind, in rear when Pulled Up, in a race won by Mutineer (10-7) at Leopardstown 2m 3yo hdl hvy in Dec '02, 16 ran.
Haulage Lady (IRE) 8-1 (9-11) Chased leaders, went 3rd 3 out, soon ridden and beaten, lost moderte 3rd flat, 4th of 6, well behind Dr Valentine (10-7) at Sedgefield 2m 1f sell hdl (5) hvy in Mar.
Hole In One (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, headway approaching 4th, jumped slowly next, weakened after 6th, tailed off, 9th of 13, well behind Along Came Rosie (10-7) at Newcastle 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) gs in Nov.
Scarvagh Rose 12-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, headway approaching 3 out, one pace from last, 4th of 14, 13l behind Moscow Mischief (11-0) at Kelso 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
North Brook (IRE) 66-1 (10-11) Held up towards rear, ridden over 2f out, never dangerous, 16th of 19, well behind Problema Tic (11-5) at Aintree 2m 1f NH flat (5) gd in May.
Lady Bluesky 1-2fav (10-11) Tracked leaders and keen, settled into mid-division on outer, headway approaching 3 out, challenged next, led last, headed run-in, no extra and lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 14, 1 1/4l behind Moscow Mischief (11-0) at Kelso 2m mdn hdl (4) gs in Nov.
