held up in rear, headway from 13th, not fluent next, weakened before 2 out
held up, headway after 9th, weakened before 2 out, pulled up before last
mid-division, lost place when not fluent 4th, mistake next, headway from 13th, blundered 3 out, went 2nd next, no extra towards finish
tracked leaders, hit 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, pulled up after
led until before 2nd, ridden after 9th, stayed on same pace from 3 out
prominent, mistake 5th, jumped slowly and lost place 7th, outpaced 10th, weakened 12th, mistake next, soon pulled up
with leader, led before 2nd, headed before 2 out, weakened approaching last
mid-division, struggling 10th, mistake 13th, soon pulled up
prominent, went 2nd before 10th, led approaching 2 out, driven out
held up towards rear, not fluent 5th, fell 9th
Cilliseal has proved consistent since returning from a short break and Noel Kelly's raider is probably still on a decent mark. Overlady could figure if on a going day but Bertie Milan needs some help from the handicapper while C&D winner Beau Dandy has been a shade disappointing so far this term and a beaten favourite in his last two starts. SAMSON COLLONGES has finally got his act together and is on a hat-trick after winning twice at Hexham. This is a slight rise in class and he's 2lb out of the handicap but there seems no reason otherwise to oppose Ferdy Murphy's grey as he'll enjoy both the ground and the trip. Shadow Boxer's second at Newcastle also gives him every chance, however, and he is easily best of the rest.
Bertie Milan (IRE) 4-1 (10-9) In rear and raced wide, headway before 5 out, ridden and weakened before 3 out, 6th of 9, 15l behind Mcmurrough (11-12) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Dec.
Overlady 9-1 (10-3) Held up mid-division, struggling halfway, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Mumbles Head (11-8) at Perth 3m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gd in May, 12 ran.
Cilliseal (IRE) 9-4fav (10-1) Tracked leader, led before 10th, headed 5 out, ridden before last, one pace, 3rd of 6, 2l behind Leac An Scail (11-0) at Hexham 4m hcp chs 0-120 (4) hvy in Nov.
Knight Woodsman 33-1 (10-9) Tracked leader, pushed along before 9th, soon lost place, 7th of 10, well behind Bhaltair (11-3) at Musselburgh 2m 4f Conditional Handicap Chase (0-120) (4yo+) (4) gs in Dec.
Beau Dandy (IRE) 7-2fav (11-7) Close up, pushed along before 10th, ridden before 4 out, soon weakened, 4th of 10, 19l behind Boris The Blade (11-12) at Newcastle 3m hcp 0-100 (5) hvy in Dec.
Blazing Diva (IRE) 5-2 (10-1) Tracked leader, pushed along 6 out, soon weakened, 4th of 5, 25l behind Cool Operator (11-5) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-120 (4) hvy in Dec.
Too Cool To Fool (IRE) 9-2 (10-6) Held up towards rear and keen, blundered 14th, weakened from 5 out, 6th of 8, 26l behind Definite Appeal (10-7) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
Sammy Spiderman 20-1 (10-10) Towards rear, reminders after 8th, weakened 11th, pulled up 12th, in a race won by Boris The Blade (11-12) at Newcastle 3m hcp 0-100 (5) hvy in Dec, 10 ran.
Shadow Boxer 10-1 (10-5) In touch, headway before 10th, challenged 3 out, every chance from 2 out until after last, kept on and always held, 2nd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Boris The Blade (11-12) at Newcastle 3m hcp 0-100 (5) hvy in Dec.
Samson Collonges (FR) 7-4fav (10-7) Tracked leaders in 3rd, jumped slow 3 out, outpaced 2 out, stayed on to lead last 100 yards, won at Hexham 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Nov beating Sam Patch (11-3) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
