held up towards rear, headway approaching 8th, hampered before 2 out, kept on flat, went 2nd towards finish, no impression on winner
in touch, improved going well to challenge 3 out, every chance 2 out, ridden before last, no impression on winner flat, lost 2nd towards finish
prominent, not fluent 9th, every chance 3 out, no extra next
held up towards rear, not fluent 3rd, headway before 3 out, stayed on same pace flat
prominent early, tracked leaders, lost place 4th, well beaten before 3 out
led, edged right and headed after 3 out, no extra from next
held up on inside, not fluent 3rd, headway before 3 out, not clear run before 2 out and switched left, tracking leaders going ok when mistake and unseated rider at 2 out
chased leaders on outside, every chance when bad mistake 3 out, soon weakened
held up, pushed along after 9th, headway when hampered 3 out, stayed on same pace from last
in rear, not always fluent, tailed off from 9th
towards rear, not fluent 3rd, pushed along next, slow and last next, mistake last, stayed on flat, no impression
prominent, challenged 3 out, soon led, clear flat, stayed on well
NonRunner
Karamoko wasn't beaten far in a maiden over the minimum trip here and has run in handicaps over further subsequently. He wouldn't need to do much more in this very moderate opener. Valkenburg, a winner on the Flat in October, hasn't shown much over hurdles but makes his handicap debut from a very lowly mark. Irish challenger Airdrigh has had 17 starts over jumps without finishing in the first three but MAGIC OF MILAN has shown that she's capable of winning at this level. Sam England's mare hasn't had much racing but she hasn't been beaten far in two recent starts at Sedgefield and Ross Chapman is one of the more experienced pilots in the race. Silk Or Scarlet ended the last campaign with a narrow defeat at Perth, form that would be good enough for this, but he finished tailed off on his reappearance so may need another run.
Silk Or Scarlet (IRE) 10-1 (11-10) In touch on outer, led 2nd, hit next, headed final circuit, remained in touch until weakened after last (usual 3 out), tailed off, 11th of 14, dist behind Border Victor (10-9) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Karamoko (IRE) 9-1 (12-0) Set modest slow pace, headed when not fluent 2 out, stayed on same pace, 3rd of 9, 8l behind Kingston (11-2) at Bangor 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Aug.
Carlingford Prince (IRE) 33-1 (11-5) Towards rear, outpaced from 3 out, never dangerous, 6th of 8, 20l behind Cadeyrn (11-5) at Newcastle 2m 6f (4) sft in Jan.
Katalystic (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) Behind, headway under pressure after last (usual 3 out), soon ridden, never reached leaders, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 14, 25 1/2l behind Border Victor (10-9) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Blaydon (IRE) 50-1 (10-12) Chased leaders on outside, driven after 4 out, weakened before 2 out, 7th of 10, 34 1/2l behind The Con Man (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f (4) hvy in Dec.
Pads (IRE) 22-1 (11-9) Chased leaders, ridden before 3 out, weakened next, 7th of 10, 31 1/2l behind Lastin' Memories (10-11) at Newcastle 2m 5f hcp (5) gs in Dec.
Up Helly Aa King 40-1 (11-12) Tracked leaders, driven after 3 out, never on terms, ridden and weakened after next, 7th of 12, 23l behind Bingo D'olivate (11-3) at Ayr 2m 3f hcp (5) hvy in Nov.
Cyprus Avenue 80-1 (10-2) Always behind, beaten 5 out, tailed off, 9th of 12, dist behind Bon Chic (11-12) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Nov.
Boris Boru (IRE) 9-1 (10-5) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden and no extra after 4 out, weakened after 3 out, 10th of 17, 24 3/4l behind British Art (11-3) at Down Royal 2m 1f hcp Yielding in Dec.
Solway Lark 50-1 (11-2) Mid-division, under pressure 3 out, soon beaten, 11th of 12, 31 3/4l behind Green Zone (11-9) at Newcastle 2m hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Valkenburg 14-1 (9-4) In touch, pushed along 3f out, ridden 2f out, not trouble leaders, 6th of 13, 3 3/4l behind Scrafton (9-8) at Wolverhampton 1m 6f hcp (6) pol in Dec.
Magic Of Milan (IRE) 11-2 (10-5) In touch on inside, driven after 3 out, ridden to chase front pair after next, kept on same pace, no extra in 4th flat, 4th of 12, 3 1/4l behind Flowery (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Airdrigh (IRE) 25-1 (10-4) Held up in mid-division, jumped slightly left, ridden towards rear 4 out, soon no impression, 12th of 17, 25 1/2l behind British Art (11-3) at Down Royal 2m 1f hcp Yielding in Dec.
