mid-division, headway 4 out, ridden to chase leaders next, kept on same pace from 2 out
mid-division, outpaced 4 out, never on terms
mid-division, lost place 5 out, soon behind
mid-division, headway 9th, chased leaders 4 out, soon ridden and weakened, tailed off
in touch on outside, led 4th to 8th, chased leaders until ridden and weakened 4 out
behind, headway 11th, every chance 2 out, ridden and one pace flat
in touch, led 8th, headed 4 out, ridden and weakened 2 out
led to 4th, chased leaders, lost place 9th, soon tailed off
always prominent, disputed lead 5 out, every chance 2 out, ridden and kept on flat, just held
with leaders, led 4 out, ridden last, tailed off under pressure flat
always behind, tailed off when pulled up before 9th
Backbeat fared well on his reappearance and gets the nod over Edmo Yewkay and Lord Maizey, while Our Armageddon can also be expected to be sharper for his outing at Cheltenham last month. He is worth keeping tabs on in the betting. Our Armageddon - winner of the last renewal of the Cathcart Chase - is a bold front-runner and can make this a good test if he runs his usual race. However, he has endured problems with a tendon injury in the past and needs to conclusively prove that he still retains his ability. The jury is still out after he was pulled up on his return to Prestbury Park, so the market will have to be the guide where Richard Guest's charge is concerned. Lord Maizey was a couple of lengths too good for Edmo Yewkay when they met at Chepstow eighteen days ago and should again make a bold bid. Nevertheless, he faces a stiff test on these terms and nothing but his best will suffice. Edmo Yewkay has been consistent over fences and still has scope for improvement. He should handle the ground and, as he is suited by a test of his stamina, he looks a live danger to the selection. Cases can also be made for Kelrev and Claymore, whose best form entitles them to consideration for each way backers. However, Backbeat has very few miles on the clock for a nine-year-old and, as this is easier than several of is assignments from last term he is fancied to have the class to brush aside the burden of top weight in this company.
Backbeat (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Chased leaders, mistakes, led 7th, blundered 14th, headed next, led again after 3 out, headed 2 out, every chance last, one pace, 2nd of 10, 2l behind Run For Paddy (11-7) at Huntingdon 3m hcp chs 0-145 (B) gd in Oct.
Tyneandthyneagain 14-1 (11-10) Chased leaders, hit 5th, soon lost place, behind when pulled up before 15th pulled up at the 15th in race won by Grey Abbey (11-12) at Ayr 4m 1f Scottish National (A) gs in Apr '04, 28 ran.
Vandas Choice (IRE) 10-1 (10-7) Tracked leaders, mistake when lost pace 10th, 5th of 12, 31l behind Direct Access (10-0) at Newcastle 3m lst hcp chs (A) sft in Nov.
Kelrev (FR) 13-2 (11-12) In touch unseated rider at the 7th in race won by Lord Maizey (10-13) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (C) gs in Dec, 13 ran.
Our Armageddon (NZ) 15-2 (10-0) Prominent, jumped left 2nd, led 4th, headed 4 out, weakened quickly, 10th of 16, 38l behind Sir Oj (10-0) at Cheltenham 2m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (A) gs in Dec.
Claymore (IRE) 6-1 (10-7) Held up last, stayed on under pressure from 2 out, to challenge for 3rd last, no chance with first 2, 4th of 6, 6l behind Armaturk (11-12) at Lingfield 2m hcp chs (B) sft in Dec.
Edmo Yewkay (IRE) 9-1 (11-4) Tracked leaders, led 9th, blundered 5 out, headed 2 out, no extra, 2nd of 13, 2l behind Lord Maizey (10-13) at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (C) gs in Dec.
Lord Maizey (IRE) 10-1 (10-13) In touch, mistake 5 out, led 2 out, kept on well, won at Chepstow 2m 3f hcp chs 0-135 (C) gs in Dec beating Edmo Yewkay (11-4) by 2l, 13 ran.
Better Days (IRE) 10-1 (10-1) Led until after 1st, led again after 4th until 6th, weakened approaching 3 out, 8th of 13, 32l behind Jazz d'Estruval (10-9) at Haydock 2m 4f hcp hdl (B) sft in Dec.
Be My Better Half (IRE) 9-1 (11-10) Mid-division, mistake 5th, left 3rd 4 out, one pace when brought down 2 out in race won by Sir Storm (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) sft in Dec, 13 ran.
Posh Stick 9-1 (10-8) Chased leaders, outpaced 4 out, left 2nd 2 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 13, 22l behind Sir Storm (11-0) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) sft in Dec.
