with leader until pushed along before 3 out, soon weakened
behind, mistake 1st, weakened before 5 out, pulled up before 3 out
towards rear, headway 7 out, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened
mid-division, headway before 3 out, soon chased winner, ridden before last, kept on and held towards finish
chased leaders, went 2nd from 7 out, clear before last, kept on well
in rear, weakened from 7 out, tailed off, pulled up before 3 out
led, headed before 5 out, weakened before 4 out
Titian Boy won two handicaps over longer trips just over a year ago and will have needed his comeback in November so should do much better. Las Tunas has won around here and is another much better than he showed on his return to action last month while the former hunter Charlie Snow Angel made a promising reappearance at Hexham and looks likely to get into the action. ROXYFET had been threatening to score again before winning nicely at Sedgefield on Boxing Day, when Sky Full Of Stars was well beaten. He's turning out quickly under a 7lb penalty and looks the one to be on. Sultana Belle hasn't had much experience over fences but produced her best run for some time in a slightly better race at Sedgefield last time.
Titian Boy (IRE) 12-1 (10-13) Mid-division, blundered 11th, ridden before 3 out, soon weakened, last of 8, dist behind Harry Hunt (11-8) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Las Tunas (FR) 12-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway before 3 out, weakened before last, 8th of 9, 29l behind Bollin Line (10-5) at Catterick 2m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Charlie Snow Angel 7-1 (10-2) Chased leaders, 2nd after 6th, led approaching 4 out, joined last, headed and no extra final 150 yards, 2nd of 7, 4l behind Celtic Flames (10-10) at Hexham 2m hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Roxyfet (FR) 7-2 (11-4) In rear, headway from 4 out to chase leaders, led after 2 out, kept on well from last, won at Sedgefield 2m hcp (5) sft in Dec beating Ulis De Vassy (11-2) by 3l, 8 ran.
Sky Full Of Stars (IRE) 4-1 (11-8) Mid-division, ridden before 4 out, soon weakened, 6th of 8, 23l behind Roxyfet (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Why But Why (USA) 100-1 (10-0) Led, headed before 3 out, soon weakened, last of 8, dist behind Charmant (11-12) at Ayr 2m hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Sultana Belle (IRE) 7-2 (10-2) Tracked leaders, effort on inner 3 out, soon under pressure, no extra approaching last, 3rd of 5, 7 1/4l behind Midnight Walk (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Dec.