Cruachan doubled his winning tally with a battling success at Perth in September. His best form has been on ground with plenty of give but he's only up 4lb and Grant Cockburn, who was riding him for the first time that day, is on board again. CATCHTHEMOONLIGHT (NAP) is another who doesn't win very often but ran her best race for a very long time when third in a much better race than this at Carlisle last Sunday and a repeat would see her very difficult to beat. Massini's Lady has been racing between the flags though has never won in 11 starts over timber but Trongate was placed a couple of times here earlier this year and could snatch a place.
Trongate (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Mid-division, blundered 8th, chased leaders after 4 out, ridden after next, kept on same pace, never on terms, 4th of 9, 22 1/4l behind Fly Vinnie (11-12) at Musselburgh 3m hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Braes Of Lochalsh 50-1 (11-0) Held up in last pair, never involved, 6th of 11, 24 1/4l behind Victoria Says (10-7) at Ayr 2m 4f mdn (5) hvy in Nov.
Catchthemoonlight 33-1 (10-11) Towards rear, headway before 2 out, kept on same pace, 3rd of 7, 3 3/4l behind Our Valentina (11-3) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Cruachan (IRE) 4-1 (10-8) Tracked leader, challenged before 2 out, switched inside approaching last, ridden to lead flat, kept on towards finish, won at Perth 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Sep beating Vertigo (11-12) by 1 1/4l, 6 ran.
Justatenner 12-1 (10-5) Towards rear, fell 3 out, at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Pineapple Crush (IRE) 25-1 (10-6) Never going that well in mid-division, lost place 3rd, weakened 8th, pulled up before 3 out, at Cartmel 2m 5f hcp (5) gs in Jun.
Why But Why (USA) 80-1 (10-8) Towards rear, weakened over 2f out, (omitted last hurdle), 14th of 16, dist behind Lucarno Dancer (10-3) at Hexham 2m hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Massini's Lady 5-1 (11-12) Led til hdd aft 3 out; one pce, 2nd of 6, 2 1/4l behind Teviot Prince (12-5) at Hexham 3m mdn in May.
Honeychile Ryder 14-1 (10-2) Held up towards rear, headway before 4 out, ridden before last, soon weakened, 4th of 13, 16l behind Bassarabad (11-12) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (5) gs in Oct.
Gentleman James 11-2 (10-0) Led, headed 4 out, weakened before last, 10th of 12, 23 1/4l behind Betancourt (11-7) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (5) gd in Oct.
