MONFASS won a better class handicap over the course and distance in December, when Pistol was beaten eight lengths, then ran very well at Kelso despite a 9lb rise. He can concede weight all round in this moderate handicap. Glingerside had a couple of poor runs over fences in the autumn and has only run marginally better in his last three starts over hurdles. Steel City was having his first start for Mick Easterby when battling to victory at Catterick last month but has been raised 7lb, though that shouldn't be enough to prevent another big run. Dakota Grey has a course and distance victory to his credit but arrives out of form while Dark And Dangerous reserves his best for Sedgefield, where he completed a hat-trick last spring.
Monfass (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Held up towards rear, good headway approaching 2 out, challenged and hit 2 out, every chance last, driven and one pace in 3rd run-in, 3rd of 10, 3 1/2l behind Mirsaale (11-5) at Kelso 2m hcp (2) sft in Jan.
Glingerside (IRE) 7-1 (11-9) Tracked leader, ridden before 2 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 7, 7 1/4l behind Spectator (11-12) at Musselburgh 2m 3f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Dark And Dangerous (IRE) 16-1 (11-8) Towards rear, headway 3rd to chase leaders, no impression from 2 out, 5th of 14, 15 1/2l behind Camron De Chaillac (11-12) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Jan.
Pistol (IRE) 7-1 (11-0) Prominent, reminders after 6 out, weakened before 2 out, 7th of 9, 8 1/2l behind Monfass (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp (2) sft in Dec.
Steel City 5-1 (11-3) Close up, led 5 out, ridden before last, soon pressed, held on towards finish, won at Catterick 2m hcp (4) sft in Jan beating Nendrum (11-6) by 1/2l, 10 ran.
Dakota Grey 11-2 (12-6) Tracked leaders, led before 2 out, headed last, weakened run-in, 5th of 8, 10 1/2l behind What A Dream (10-4) at Ayr 2m 4f hcp (5) hvy in Jan.
War Joey (IRE) 66-1 (10-12) Chased leaders, weakened after 2 out, 7th of 10, 17 1/2l behind The Dubai Way (10-12) at Hexham 2m (4) hvy in Nov.
Snowed In (IRE) 11-2 (11-12) Tracked leader, every chance 2 out, ridden before last, kept on and no impression, 4th of 8, 17 1/4l behind Derrynane (11-6) at Catterick 2m hcp (5) hvy in Jan.
