in touch, outpaced 4 out, weakened next
led to 3rd, tracked leader, led again 4 out, headed last, ridden and no extra flat
tracked leader, led 3rd, headed 4 out, soon weakened
in touch, ridden to challenge 3 out, led last, kept on, headed towards finish
tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, rallied when not fluent 2 out, stayed on under pressure to lead towards finish
held up, headway 4 out, chased leaders next, ridden and not fluent 2 out, soon one pace
in touch, effort 3 out, ridden and kept on same pace from next
mid-division, lost place 7th, no danger after
mid-division, mistake and lost place 5th, no danger after
behind, ridden 7th, never dangerous
towards rear, outpaced 4 out, never on terms
Nonrunner
Political Paddy claimed a deserved success when winning at Kelso when last seen in November but this looks tougher off his new mark and a better bet looks to be the progressive MONEY ORDER, who gets the verdict ahead of Endless Power. Jim Goldie's gelding was good value for his win over fences at Aintree last time and can race off the same mark back over hurdles today but he does have a career high mark over timber to defy. Chris Grant's Theatre Belle ran better at Wetherby last month but a 4lb rise for that seems harsh, while Tartan Snow is probably best watched following his fall at Newcastle last month. Howard Johnson's Diamond Frontier has shown a consistent level of form and has to be respected but he may be a shade high in the weights for his debut in a handicap, while it is hard to recommend Middleton Dene following his poor run at Haydock last time. The vote though goes to Brendan Powell's reappearing Money Order, who showed progressive form over hurdles two seasons ago before winning his only start over fences last term. He looks to be well enough treated for his debut in a handicap and gets the vote.
Middleton Dene (IRE) 8-1 (11-6) Held up, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, 8th of 12, 38l behind United (11-7) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl (2) sft in Dec.
Endless Power (IRE) 11-1 (10-0) Made all, unchallenged, pecked 10th, finished tired all out, won at Aintree 2m 5f hcp chs (2) sft in Nov beating Brooklyn Brownie (10-2) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
Diamond Frontier (IRE) 5-6fav (11-5) In touch and keen, not fluent, every chance when mistake last, no extra, 2nd of 10, 4 1/2l behind Fabalu (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 6f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Theatre Belle 14-1 (11-0) Held up, headway 3 out, challenged last, not reach winner, 2nd of 8, nk behind Terenzium (10-3) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
Harmony Brig (IRE) 18-1 (10-6) Held up behind, ridden after 4 out, some progress after 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 5th of 15, 28l behind Mon Mome (10-8) at Cheltenham 3m 1f lst hcp chs (1) gs in Dec.
Money Order (IRE) 15-8fav (11-2) Held up, headway 10th, led last, kept on under pressure, won at Bangor 2m 4f beg chs (4) gs in Nov '07 beating Carnival Town (11-2) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Tartan Snow 4-1jt-fav (10-11) Led to 5th, close up, led again 4 out, ridden when fell 2 out in race won by Pagan Starprincess (11-5) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Dec, 11 ran.
Manadam (FR) 11-2 (11-5) In touch, weakened 2 out, 4th of 13, 20l behind Comhla Ri Coig (10-12) at Haydock 2m 4f nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
Political Paddy 7-4fav (11-3) Held up, headway approaching 4 out, led approaching last, stayed on well, won at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Nov beating Rare Coincidence (11-12) by 6l, 9 ran.
Twelve Paces 9-2 (9-7) Held up, ridden after 5 out, soon weakened, 8th of 11, 39l behind Malko De Beaumont (10-2) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Dec.
Dunaskin (IRE) 2-1fav (11-1) Tracked leaders, hit 5th, 4 lengths 2nd when blundered and unseated rider 2 out in race won by Princess Flame (10-10) at Leicester 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) sft in Dec, 13 ran.
Aston Lad 50-1 (10-11) Towards rear, ridden after 9th, soon beaten, 7th of 12, 36l behind Auroras Encore (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (4) sft in Dec.
