in rear, reminders after 5th, detached from next, pulled up before 8th
tracked leaders, ridden and every chance 3 out, weakened after next
tracked leaders, chased leader from 5 out, hit 3 out, soon weakened
prominent, weakened from 11th, pulled up before 2 out
with leader, led 9th, ridden and headed 2 out, no extra from last
always behind, weakened from 11th, pulled up before 2 out
held up, headway approaching 4 out, every chance 2 out, stayed on
soon chasing leaders, ridden 3 out, kept on
held up, headway 4 out, led 2 out, kept on well
chased leaders, ridden and weakened 3 out
led to 9th, weakened from 5 out
held up, not fluent 7th, soon struggling, pulled up before 9th
PETERS STAR, Cadoudalas and Golden Duck make most appeal in this handicap chase and the vote is given to Peters Star. The selection was no match for On Ragal Road last time at Hexham when he didn't quite see out the trip. He still finished well clear of the third in that race though and this drop is a big plus for him here. He should have no problems with the ground and he looks the one to beat. Cadoudalas is the interesting one against the selection as he travelled well for a long way on his chasing debut but he did not get home. He is dropped in trip here which will suit and he will relish the ground so he has to be respected. Golden Duck failed to get round at Towcester last time but he had previously gone close at Wincanton and the yard are in good form so it would be no surprise to see him in the shake-up. Extra Smooth is worth a market check on his first start for two years, although the likelihood is that he will need the run. All of which returns us to Peters Star as the pick.
Peters Star (IRE) 3-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, outpaced 3 out, soon tailed off, 2nd of 8, 38l behind On Raglan Road (10-12) at Hexham 3m nov hdl (4) gs in Oct.
Cadoudalas (FR) 5-2fav (11-9) Chased leader, led 4 out, headed approaching 2 out, soon weakened, 4th of 9, 23l behind See You There (11-12) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Oct.
Extra Smooth 11-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, led approaching 4 out, clear from 2 out, left well clear last, won at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (3) sft in Oct '06 beating Ice Melted (11-6) by a distance, 5 ran.
Lord Samposin 25-1 (10-13) Raced keen, tracked leaders, 8 lengths down and held in 3rd when blundered and unseated rider 2 out in race won by Kalahari King (11-2) at Kelso 2m 1f beg chs (4) gs in Oct, 12 ran.
Doc Row (IRE) 28-1 (10-10) Held up in rear, blundered 10th, steady headway 5 out, weakened 4 out, 8th of 10, 28l behind The Gangerman (10-10) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Oct.
Golden Duck (IRE) 4-1 (11-12) Raced keenly, in touch, disputing 2nd when slithered on landing 11th, not recover and pulled up 3 out in race won by Auditor (10-0) at Towcester 2m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Oct, 11 ran.
Malko de Beaumont (FR) 5-1 (11-12) Held up, headway under pressure when mistake 3 out, soon beaten, 4th of 8, 45l behind Ryminster (11-10) at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gs in Oct.
Innominate (IRE) 7-2fav (11-10) Towards rear, outpaced 4 out, kept on one pace from 2 out, 4th of 10, 25l behind Silly Wupple (11-7) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Oct.
Cavers Glen 33-1 (11-3) Held up, headway and effort approaching 4 out, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 9, 14l behind Astarador (11-3) at Carlisle 2m nov chs (3) gs in Oct.
Stoneriggs Merc (IRE) 15-2 (10-0) Led 1st to 4 out, soon weakened, 9th of 11, 44l behind Glingerbank (10-12) at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Oct.
Ballynure (IRE) 11-2 (10-5) Prominent, led 4th, headed approaching last, one pace after, 3rd of 10, 12l behind Silly Wupple (11-7) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Oct.
Digital Media (IRE) 10-3 (10-2) Chased leaders, stayed 6 out, weakened 4 out and pulled up at the last in race won by Jefertiti (10-9) at Ayr 2m hcp chs 0-125 (3) hvy in Mar, 7 ran.
