close up on outside, went 2nd after 5 out, ridden to challenge and every chance before last, no extra in 3rd flat
chased leaders, mistake 9th, reminders and struggling after 12th, lost touch 4 out, tailed off
led, joined 10th, headed before 5 out, outpaced by front pair before next, rallied to regain lead last, ridden and stayed on well flat
tracked leaders, disputed lead 10th, led before 5 out, ridden after 2 out, headed last, one pace flat
tracked winner, disputed lead 10th to 12th, mistake and lost place 5 out, ridden after 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up before last
Special Catch scored twice on this track last year and followed two moderate runs with a victory in this class at Sedgefield for which a 3lb rise looks manageable. Gordon Elliott's Mountain King's two victories over fences have come at Perth but he's performed with credit in better company while No No Mac looked a smart prospect when completing a double in the spring but ran poorly when last seen in the autumn. Irish raider MASTER RUFFIT (NAP) has won over hurdles and fences here, the latest when a surprise winner from Freddie's Portrait last month. The runner-up has won subsequently so another track victory looks on the cards. Un Noble was in excellent form around this time last year and has had just two runs since landing a similar class handicap to this at Newcastle in April.
Special Catch (IRE) 2-1fav (11-9) Held up in touch, headway to track leaders 3 out, hampered next, led approaching last, ran on well, won at Sedgefield 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Jan beating Raktiman (10-13) by 1 1/4l, 5 ran.
Mountain King 11-2 (11-12) Held up, modest 5th after 12th, well beaten 4 out, 5th of 8, dist behind Hollywoodien (11-9) at Wetherby 2m 3f hcp (3) gs in Dec.
No No Mac (IRE) 9-2 (11-12) Tracked leaders, reminder after 4th, weakened before 10th, tailed off, 5th of 7, dist behind Trickaway (11-6) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp (3) gs in Nov.
Master Ruffit (IRE) 16-1 (11-6) Held up in touch, led 5 out, pressed from next until in command from last, kept on well, won at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Jan beating Freddies Portrait (10-7) by 3 3/4l, 7 ran.
Un Noble (FR) 10-1 (11-10) Always towards rear, weakened before 6 out, soon tailed off, pulled up, at Newcastle 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Jan.