chased leaders, led approaching 2 out, headed last, kept on
held up, weakened after 3 out
held up, chased leaders after 3 out, ridden to lead last, driven out
chased leaders, ridden and weakened approaching 2 out
held up, ridden approaching 3 out, weakened approaching 2 out
led and keen, soon clear until quickly weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
chased clear leader, led briefly 3 out, soon outpaced, stayed on from last
chased leaders, ridden and lost place approaching 5th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
Nonrunner
Bollin Thomas has claims on the pick of his form but is becoming expensive to follow so a better bet may prove to be the less exposed Boris The Spider, who gets the vote ahead of Buffy. The last mentioned has shown bits and pieces of form and would have claims in a poor contest but probably needs to improve, while Tiger King has disappointed in two starts in this grade and may need some help from the handicapper. Similar comments apply to Heversham and of more interest may be Rock Back from the in-form Lucinda Russell stable. Len Lungo's Captain's Leap may be capable of better than he has shown so far but the vote goes to Boris The Spider. Micky Hammond's gelding, a winner on the level, looks to be on a fair mark for his debut in this grade and in a race as weak as this may be good enough to open his account over hurdles.
Bollin Thomas 33-1 (9-11) Held up in touch, outpaced 3 out, soon ridden, no impression, 4th of 8, 11l behind Euro American (11-12) at Newcastle 2m 4f nov hcp hdl (2) hvy in Feb.
Tiger King (GER) 100-1 (10-6) Mid-division, ridden 4 out, no impression from next, 8th of 14, 29l behind Sun King (9-4) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Feb.
Boris The Spider 20-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, ridden and outpaced 2 out, kept on approaching last, no impression, 3rd of 8, 12l behind According To Pete (11-2) at Sedgefield 2m 1f nov hdl (4) hvy in Feb.
Heversham (IRE) 4-1jt-fav (11-2) Held up in touch, ridden 3 out, kept on same pace from next, 3rd of 11, 8l behind Benefit Fund (11-2) at Southwell 2m sll hdl (5) sft in Feb.
Buffy 25-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, weakened after 2 out, 5th of 14, 14l behind Jontys'lass (10-12) at Carlisle 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Feb.
Norminster 66-1 (10-9) Always behind, 9th of 17, 28l behind Silver Seeker (10-9) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gf in Feb.
Captain's Leap (IRE) 50-1 (10-1) Always behind, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off from next, 9th of 13, 31l behind Birdwatch (11-0) at Ayr 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Feb.
Rock Back (IRE) 16-1 (10-4) Mid-division, hampered, lost place 2nd, no danger after, 5th of 8, well behind Etoile Russe (9-5) at Sedgefield 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Feb.
