chased leaders, led 6th, headed 10th, led again after 4 out, soon ridden and under pressure, headed last 50 yards, kept on, held towards finish
always towards rear, blundered 3rd, pushed along 9th, behind when blundered and unseated rider 5 out
in rear, mistake 1st, headway to chase leaders 5 out, hit next, weakened 3 out
towards rear, blundered 4th, soon detached
led to 6th, weakened 11th, tailed off when pulled up before 2 out
chased leaders, blundered 1st, blundered and unseated rider 8th
mid-division, blundered 5 out, weakened approaching next
held up in touch, steady headway approaching 10th, challenged and hit 2 out, switched left approaching last, stayed on to lead final 50 yards, all out
in touch, chased leaders approaching 9th, led next, blundered 4 out, soon headed, one pace from last
MESSAGER is taken to continue in his winning ways to land this handicap chase with both Doc Row and Duke of Malfi worth noting. The selection landed a hat-trick of wins in point-to-points last season and won nicely on his return to racing under rules. His win at Hexham proved he can handle a testing surface and although he has his fitness to prove we feel he has the ability to win more races. Duke of Malfi will pose as the biggest danger but is now nine pounds higher in the weights after winning at Hexham last time out. He is still only five though and relatively unexposed so he still worth noting for any market support. Doc Row is only three pounds higher since winning at Kelso last month. He has conditions to suit once again and is another that is sure to be in the shake-up.
Doc Row (IRE) 15-2 (10-5) Chased leaders, ridden to lead approaching last, headed flat, ran on to lead again post, won at Kelso 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov beating Zitenka (11-11) by a shd, 10 ran.
Lord Samposin 33-1 (10-11) Disputed lead, blundered 5th, headed 3 out, one pace in 3rd when fell at the last in race won by Palomar (11-0) at Kelso 2m 1f beg chs (4) sft in Nov, 9 ran.
Messager (FR) 11-4 (11-7) Held up in touch, headway to chase leaders 3 out, ridden to lead next, held on well, won at Hexham 3m 1f mdn hts chs (5) hvy in May beating Sacred Mountain (11-9) by 1/2l, 7 ran.
Treasured Memories 5-1 (10-9) Held up, headway and in touch 5th, left 3rd next, soon outpaced, weakened from 2 out, 3rd of 6, 30l behind Quws Law (11-2) at Ayr 3m 1f beg chs (4) gs in Nov.
Duke of Malfi 5-1 (11-3) Made all, held on well, won at Hexham 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Nov beating Norminster (10-13) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
Waterford (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Led, headed approaching 3 out, driven and pulled up 2 out in race won by Nicozetto (10-0) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Nov, 7 ran.
Seek The Truth (IRE) 9-1 (11-5) Mid-division, ridden approaching 4 out, 6th and held when fell 3 out in race won by Hall of Flame (10-9) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Oct, 18 ran.
Sammy Spiderman 11-8fav (11-5) Mid-division, headway and going well when tried to run out and unseated rider 4 out in race won by Cooldine Lad (11-6) at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-90 (5) hvy in Nov, 8 ran.
Mitchel Henry (IRE) 3-1jt-fav (9-10) In touch, outpaced 3 out, soon ridden, stayed on under pressure to go 3rd after last, no impression, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Shulmin (10-12) at Sedgefield 3m 3f cnd hcp chs (5) sft in Nov.
