chased leaders, led 4 out, ridden approaching last, stayed on well
held up, headway 11th, chasing leaders when fell 5 out
soon close up, led 5th, headed 4 out, kept on, always held towards finish
held up, pushed along after 9th, not fluent 11th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
always towards rear, pushed along and detached from 4th, pulled up before 6th
held up in touch, headway 6 out, chased leading pair approaching 4 out, hit last, soon weakened
held up mid-division, weakened from 5 out
tracked leaders, weakened from 5 out, pulled up before 2 out
led to 5th, pushed along approaching 10th, soon lost place, tailed off.
KING BARRY can defy a nine-pound rise in the weights to win this handicap at the expense of Mr Preacher Man and Ryminster. The selection won nicely at Kelso last time out and although he has taken a hike in the weights he has in the past won off a similar mark. The ground may well be a slight concern as he has never won on ground as testing as this, but he does have form with give in the ground and looks the pick on paper. Mr Preacher Man won a hurdle race off 109 at Perth in September and now races off a five-pound higher mark here on his chase debut. He has proven form on various ground conditions but will possibly benefit for the experience. Ryminster is another to note as he never seems to run a bad race and is almost certain to be in the shake-up once again.
King Barry (FR) 10-1 (11-8) Close up, led approaching last, stayed on well, won at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Nov beating Hidden Bounty (11-0) by 6l, 12 ran.
Mr Preacher Man 10-1 (11-4) Led to 2nd, in touch, ridden and outpaced 2 out, stayed on and edged right flat, 3rd of 10, 1l behind Doc Row (10-5) at Kelso 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Jass 4-1 (11-0) Mid-division when fell 4 out in race won by Doc Row (10-5) at Kelso 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov, 10 ran.
Something Silver 14-1 (10-12) Close up on inside, led 14th, headed 3 out, soon outpaced, no impression from next, 5th of 13, 31l behind Bellaney Jewel (10-6) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov.
Delray Beach (FR) 16-1 (11-9) Held up in rear, pushed along approaching 7th, soon behind, tailed off, 9th of 11, well behind Luccombe Bay (10-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f mrs nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Ryminster 13-2 (11-4) Chased leaders, chased winner last, edged right flat, lost 2nd towards finish, 3rd of 12, 7l behind King Barry (11-8) at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Nov.
Getinbybutonlyjust 7-1 (11-0) Led 7th, headed approaching last, no extra, 6th of 12, 19l behind King Barry (11-8) at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Nov.
Almire du Lia (FR) 33-1 (11-4) Led to 7th, led again after 8th, headed approaching 5 out, weakened approaching next, 8th of 10, well behind Roznic (11-12) at Newcastle 3m hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
Skenfrith 25-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, lost place 10th, soon behind, 7th of 11, well behind Harlov (11-5) at Kelso 3m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in May.