with leaders, mistake 2nd, mistake 6th, lost place after 7th, in rear 8th, tailed off
made all, ridden before 2 out, clear before last, kept on well
towards rear, mistake 6th, headway 4 out, went 4th 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, went 3rd before 4 out chased winner 4 out, one pace and mistake last
in rear, blundered 8th, soon weakened
close up, went 2nd before 2 out, kept on and held towards finish
Most of these are out of form though the exception is SACRE TOI. James Ewart's charge has already won at Newcastle and Kelso this season and though beaten at Doncaster last week when favourite that looked a better race than this and compensation awaits. Sergeant Pink beat three rivals over this track and trip last month but couldn't handle a 4lb rise at Kelso ten days later and was pulled up. Gavroche Gaugain won twice at Sedgefield in 2011 and is back on the same mark as when last successful though he's been running poorly and may prefer better ground. Bene Lad is better over further and has been running over hurdles though he was in touch when unseating his rider from today's mark here in November.
Bene Lad (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Led, jumped slowly 6th, headed approaching 7th, no impression 3 out, 6th of 7, 12l behind King Kalium (9-11) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy in Jan.
Sacre Toi (FR) 5-2fav (10-13) Tracked leaders, pushed along and headway before 4 out, went 4th before last, kept on to take 3rd place towards finish, 3rd of 7, 5l behind Memorabilia (10-13) at Doncaster 2m hcp chs 0-120 (4) sft.
Sergeant Pink (IRE) 4-1 (11-2) In rear, pushed along after 2nd, jumped right and not fluent 5th, soon lost touch, pulled up before next, in a race won by Saddle Pack (10-12) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp ch 0-110 (4) hvy in Jan, 6 ran.
Suprise Vendor (IRE) 14-1 (10-11) Tracked leaders on outside, outpaced in 4th approaching 8th, weakened 3 out, last of 6, 46l behind Sacre Toi (10-9) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs 0-120 (4) hvy in Dec.
Gavroche Gaugain (FR) 66-1 (10-13) Always towards rear, weakened over 3f out, 9th of 13, 39l behind Captain Kelly (11-4) at Wolverhampton 2m n h flat (4) std in Jan.
Lord Of Drums (IRE) 66-1 (11-0) Led, headed when not fluent 8th, weakened before 3 out, tailed off, last of 4, well behind Tap Night (11-0) at Ayr 2m nov chs (4) hvy in Jan.
