held up, raced wide, fell 6th
chased leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, one pace in 3rd when hit last, soon weakened
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance 2 out, one pace from last
held up, brought down 6th
chased winner, ridden and hit 3 out, one pace from last
made all, mistake 4 out, ridden after next, kept on well from last
held up in rear, hit 4 out, effort approaching next, no impression
Withdrawn
Mexican, Longdale and Oliverjohn look the three to concentrate on in this handicap chase and the tentative vote is given to Longdale. The selection won well last time out when beating Gohh and although he has a penalty for that win he again has conditions to suit and he looks the value bet. Mexican is sure to have his supporters as he also won well last time out when beating Polyphon but he is a hard ride and never runs two races a like and at likely odds he looks worth opposing. Oliverjohn is another that could go well but he is becoming hard to win with. Of the others Moment of Madness may just need the run after a 283-day absence, and for the winner we return to Longdale.
Brave Thought (IRE) 14-1 (11-7) Mid-division, pushed along 3 out, kept on from next, never nearer, 8th of 23, 26l behind Topanberry (11-9) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-105 (E) sft in Dec.
Do L'Enfant d'Eau (FR) 9-1 (11-5) Held up, headway when mistake 9th, outpaced from 4 out, 4th of 11, 29l behind Oso Magic (11-0) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs in Nov.
Moment of Madness (IRE) 20-1 (9-11) brought down in race won by Kilgowan (10-4) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hcp hdl (B) gd in Mar, 13 ran.
Longdale 33-1 (11-9) Held up, headway 5 out, led approaching last, driven out flat, won at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-105 (E) sft in Dec beating Gohh (10-8) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Tagar (FR) 6-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, ridden, weakened after 5 out, last of 7, 18l behind Kids Inheritance (11-5) at Newcastle 2m hcp chs 0-110 (E) hvy in Dec.
Oliverjohn (IRE) 20-1 (10-11) Tracked leader, led 10th, headed 2 out, soon weakened, 3rd of 13, 26l behind Fountain Brig (10-0) at Ayr 2m 5f nov hcp chs 0-105 (E) sft in Dec.
Mexican (USA) 11-2 (10-5) Held up, headway 3 out, went 2nd next, led last, ridden and ran on flat, won at Catterick 2m hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd in Dec beating Polyphon (11-12) by 8l, 8 ran.
Flaming Heck 11-1 (10-8) Led, headed 5th, chased leaders until ridden and weakened after 4 out, last of 9, well behind Vingis Park (11-5) at Aintree 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gs in Nov.
