tracked leaders, went 2nd from 4 out until 2 out, one pace
held up behind, struggling from halfway, never dangerous
always towards rear, struggling from 7th, tailed off, pulled up
tracked leaders, ridden before 3 out, no impression
led, clear from 9th, stayed on well from 2 out
tracked leaders in 4th, weakened from 11th, pulled up before 13th, tailed off
with leader, lost place before 4 out, pulled up before 2 out
always towards rear, pulled up before 12th
in rear, headway 16th, went 3rd before 4 out, chased winner from 2 out, kept on, always held
always towards rear, pulled up before 6 out, tailed off
NonRunner
Paul Stafford sent Gibbstown over from Ireland to land a similar class handicap at Hexham in March and he can go well while Master Rajeem, who also won there last time though over hurdles, will appreciate the testing conditions more than most. SMUGGLER'S STASH is yet another to have won recently on that track and though well beaten at Wetherby subsequently it was in a better race so he looks the one to be on. Spoils Of War hasn't been beaten far in his last two runs over fences but is yet to race over a trip this far under Rules. He was also behind the veteran Alfred Oats over a shorter trip here last month and that was the latter's best performance in a very long time. Trouble In Paris was also beaten in that latter event when The Bishop pulled up.
Master Rajeem (USA) 7-1 (10-13) Tracked leaders, led before 3 out, ridden clear before last, won at Hexham 2m 7f hcp (4) hvy in Dec beating Flemerina (10-11) by 1/2l, 13 ran.
Gibbstown (IRE) 20-1 (10-5) Rear of mid-division, 11th after 6th, improved to 7th before 10th, ridden in 8th after 4 out, no impression in 7th before 2 out where jumped left, kept on one pace, 6th of 15, 22 1/2l behind Back Before Dawn (11-5) at Thurles 3m 1f hcp sft in Dec.
Flaming Thistle (IRE) 14-1 (10-7) In rear, pushed along before 6th, reminders halfway, never dangerous, pulled up, at Ayr 3m hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Spoils Of War (IRE) 5-1 (11-6) Mid-division, outpaced 11th, soon reminders, headway 4 out, kept on from 2 out, 3rd of 10, 2l behind Achill Road Boy (12-0) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp (5) hvy in Dec.
Landmeafortune (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) In rear, not fluent 2nd, struggling 10th, well behind 15th, soon pulled up, at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
The Bishop (IRE) 9-2jfav (11-3) In rear, pushed along 3rd and reminders, tailed off and pulled up before 7 out, at Ayr 2m 5f hcp (5) hvy in Dec.
Cleve Cottage 33-1 (11-4) Mid-division, in touch 11th, struggling after 15th, 10th of 16, dist behind Bankhall (10-13) at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
Snuker 8-1 (11-0) Led, headed 10 out, ridden before last, soon outpaced, 6th of 10, 17 1/4l behind Smuggler's Stash (11-8) at Hexham 3m hcp (5) hvy in Dec.
Alfred Oats 14-1 (10-6) Towards rear, headway before 10th, challenged 2 out, ridden and every chance run-in, held close home, 2nd of 10, nk behind Achill Road Boy (12-0) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp (5) hvy in Dec.
Trouble In Paris (IRE) 13-2 (10-1) In rear, headway 6 out, one pace before 2 out, 4th of 10, 8l behind Achill Road Boy (12-0) at Ayr 2m 5f hcp (5) hvy in Dec.
Smuggler's Stash (IRE) 7-1 (11-12) Prominent, led 4th until 11th, lost place after 15th, well beaten after, mistake 3 out, 5th of 16, 21 3/4l behind Bankhall (10-13) at Wetherby 3m hcp (4) gs in Dec.
