held up, slow 5th, headway 7th, mistake 4 out, chased winner after 2 out, no impression, kept on
chased leaders, not fluent and lost place 4th, given reminders and soon closed back up, not fluent 7th, led 9th, headed 4 out, lost 2nd after 2 out and well beaten 3rd last
led, soon clear, reduced lead after 4th, headed 8th, mistake next, weakened before 4 out
held up, closed 4th, led going well 4 out, clear next, easily
chased leader, led 8th, headed next, disputing 3rd and held when mistake and unseated rider 3 out
behind, left modest 4th 3 out, no chance
Las Tunas won on the Flat here in the summer and was placed in a Class 4 over the course and distance in November. He was cantering along and looked certain to make a winning return here last week but took a crashing fall at the second last. Compensation awaits providing he's no worse for the experience but the value may lie with INSTINGTIVE, who has only failed to complete once in 30 starts over jumps. Any further rain would aid his cause as it was heavy ground when he finished a very close second here and at Carlisle, though he didn't jump with his usual fluency at Hexham last time. The Orange Rogue once looked a decent prospect over much further but has failed to complete in his last five starts while the veteran Paddocks Lounge, three times a winner in minor company over hurdles, hasn't shown much over fences and probably needs further. Titian Boy makes a quick reappearance after a fair run over 2m4f at Newcastle on Saturday but though he's won twice around here both victories were over that trip.
The Orange Rogue (IRE) 50-1 (10-9) Keen early, led to before 9th, lost place after next, behind when mistake and unseated rider 12th, at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Instingtive (IRE) 5-2 (11-2) Led, mistake 1st, not fluent next, headed 3 out, rallied and every chance next, weakened before last, 5th of 7, 18 3/4l behind Echo Express (11-11) at Hexham 2m hcp (5) sft in Dec.
Paddocks Lounge (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) Tracked leader, led briefly 5th, lost place before 7th, outpaced after 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off, last of 5, dist behind Niven (11-0) at Hexham 2m (3) hvy in Dec.
Las Tunas (FR) 9-4 (10-0) Held up last, headway into 3rd place 6th, hit 9th, led going well 4 out, clear when fell 2 out, at Ayr 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Titian Boy (IRE) 5-2 (10-9) Tracked winner, hampered on bend after 5 out, lost 2nd next, one pace from 3 out, not clear run after last, 5th of 7, 11 1/4l behind Younoso (10-4) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (5) gs in Jan.
Bertielicious 40-1 (10-0) Behind, struggling 4 out, never threatened leaders, 5th of 8, 22 1/4l behind Rossmore's Pride (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m hcp (5) sft in Dec.
