prominent, hit 2nd, mistake 4th, ridden 4 out, weakened next, pulled up 2 out
close up, headway 5th, joined winner 5 out, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace
tracked leaders, mistake and fell 6 out
made all, pushed along 2 out, clear approaching last, readily
slowly away, in rear, close up 6th, ridden 4 out, kept on one pace
The improving Paddy The Horse has won twice over hurdles at Hexham this season but makes his chasing debut, as does Irish raider Champ De Gane. MASKED CRUSADER (NAP) has started favourite in four of his five starts under Rules. He was leading when blundering and unseating his rider at the last at Musselburgh last month and compensation awaits here with a clear round. Duty Calls has yet to place in six runs over fences while Netywell is struggling for form.
Masked Crusader (FR) Evensfav (11-12) Went left and screwed at 1st, hung left and jumped left at times, tracked leader, led 4th, went clear home turn, reduced lead and hit 2 out, one length ahead when bad blunder and unseated rider last, at Musselburgh 2m hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Champ De Gane (FR) 11-1 (11-12) Held up in rear and soon slightly detached, closer in 6th when mistake and unseated rider 5th, at Down Royal 2m 4f sft in Dec.
Paddy The Horse (IRE) 10-11fav (11-9) Made all, ridden approaching last, stayed on well run-in, won at Hexham 2m hcp stks (4) sft in Nov beating Bollin Neil (10-13) by 2l, 5 ran.
Netywell (FR) 28-1 (11-11) Midfield, pushed along before 3 out, soon struggling, 12th of 14, 15 3/4l behind Dancewiththewind (11-11) at Wetherby 2m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Duty Calls (IRE) 14-1 (11-11) Front mid-division, pushed along and went 3rd 2 out, soon ridden and ran on one pace, 3rd of 12, 6 1/4l behind Coral Blue (11-0) at Kelso 2m 5f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
