tracked leaders in 5th, closer in 3rd place at 6th, pushed along before 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off next, pulled up before 2 out
tracked leaders on outside, jumped slowly 5th, unseated rider 8th
not fluent 1st, jumped right throughout, tracked leader, led after 4th until 9th, chased winner, ridden before 4 out, well held when unseated rider 2 out
held up, reminders after 4th, closer chasing leaders 9th, left in 3rd place 2 out, went 2nd at the last, no chance with winner
raced keenly, tracked leaders, weakened 8th, left remote 4th 2 out
led until after 4th, tracked leader, in front again 9th, clear before 4 out, stayed on strongly
held up in last trio, mistake 6th, weakened before 4 out where mistake
held up in rear, headway into 3rd approaching 4 out, left in well held 2nd place 2 out, dropped to 3rd at the last
RIPSTICK (NAP) had been threatening to win for a while and finally lost his maiden tag under Rules with a comfortable victory at Sedgefield. This looks no tougher and he can defy a 5lb rise. Plan Of Escape was having his first start over fences when beaten a long way over 2m4f here in November and looks high enough in the weights as does Emissaire, who ran a shocker at Kelso before falling at the first at Hexham. Lastin' Memories hasn't been beaten far in his two starts over fences though looks as though a longer trip would suit but Dunly didn't show enough on his chasing bow at Carlisle to merit consideration.
Plan Of Escape (IRE) 8-1 (10-4) Prominent, mistake 5 out, soon lost place, hampered next, no extra approaching 2 out, 5th of 8, 26l behind River Frost (11-12) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Emissaire (FR) 4-1 (11-6) Mistake and unseated rider 1st, at Hexham 2m hcp (5) hvy in Dec.
Into The Breach (FR) 40-1 (11-7) Chased leaders early, mid-division, lost place when mistake 3rd (usual 6th), no danger after, 7th of 11, 30 1/2l behind Mymilan (10-13) at Carlisle 2m hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Lastin' Memories 2-1fav (11-2) Disputed lead early, in touch, lost place last (usual 5 out), soon ridden, plugged on into 3rd inside final furlong, no impression, 3rd of 11, 8 1/4l behind Mymilan (10-13) at Carlisle 2m hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Carlingford Prince (IRE) 12-1 (10-10) Held up mid-division, ridden after last, kept on and no impression, 4th of 9, 11 3/4l behind Zolfo (11-6) at Cartmel 2m 1f hcp (4) sft in May.
Dunly (FR) 9-1 (11-2) Mid-division, reminder after 1st (usual 4th), ridden after last (usual 5 out), never on terms, weakened on extended run-in, 5th of 11, 24 3/4l behind Mymilan (10-13) at Carlisle 2m hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Jolie Crickette (FR) 10-1 (11-0) Chased leaders, lost place before 8th, well beaten before 3 out, went remote 4th towards finish, 4th of 7, 29l behind Pads (10-6) at Hexham 2m hcp (5) hvy in Dec.
Ripstick 9-2jfav (10-7) Held up in rear, smooth headway 2 out, led going well before last, driven out flat, won at Sedgefield 2m hcp (5) sft in Dec beating Roxyfet (11-8) by 2 1/4l, 11 ran.
