prominent, led 4 out, ridden and headed last, no extra close home
held up, outpaced halfway, ridden 3 out, hard driven to lead near line
held up, hampered 4th, driven and weakened 2 out
held up, headway 5th, ridden 3 out, soon no impression
prominent, ridden 5 out, weakened 2 out
in touch, ridden 4th, lost place 5 out
led, headed 4 out, driven and weakened 2 out
tracked leaders, brought down 4th
tracked leaders, fell 4th
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, kept on one pace from last
held up, headway 3 out, led last, hard driven and headed close home
OSO MAGIC is a speculative selection. Le Roi Rouge and Bog Oak are also fancied to be involved in the fray and can make sure this is a good test. Bog Oak has yet to win a race in the UK since he transferred over from Ireland but has shown a liking for the undulations of Carlisle. He has gone close over the course and distance before but there is a distinct likelihood that he prefers a slightly stiffer test of stamina. A lack of early pace would therefore conspire against him. Le Roi Rouge will love the conditions and will be a big danger to the selection. However, he also appears to need a good test of stamina and may be vulnerable to a sucker punch. Therefore, it can pay to take a chance with Oso Magic, who is likely to be on the ball at an early stage and, as his 7lb condition rider knows him well, a big run can be expected - at a fair price to boot.
Et Maintenant (FR) 8-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden 4 out, weakened from next, 4th of 10, 37l behind Chrysander (11-2) at Musselburgh 2m 4f clm chs (4) gs.
Le Roi Rouge (FR) 15-2 (10-3) Chased leaders, pushed along after 8th, outpaced, plugged on from 4 out, 4th of 12, 14l behind Nacarat (11-9) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp chs 0-140 (2) sft in Jan.
Euro American (GER) 15-2 (11-1) Held up, some headway 4 out, never troubled leaders, 7th of 9, 27l behind Ellerslie George (11-9) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Dec.
Cantgeton (IRE) 16-1 (10-6) Held up in rear, raced wide and headway after 5 out, weakened 4 out, 5th of 8, 28l behind Good Company (11-4) at Haydock 2m hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
Anglican (FR) 20-1 (11-4) Held up towards rear, struggling 6th, stayed on flat, took moderate 4th last strides, 4th of 8, 22l behind Amble Forge (11-2) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan.
Incorporation 14-1 (10-12) Prominent, stumbled 3rd, ridden approaching 5th, not fluent 7th, weakened 4 out, 6th of 8, 25l behind Amble Forge (11-2) at Warwick 2m hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Jan.
Stormy Beech 25-1 (11-3) In rear, headway 11th, blundered 13th, soon lost place and pulled up 3 out in race won by Coldwells (10-12) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Dec, 12 ran.
Bog Oak (IRE) 13-2 (11-12) Held up, steady headway after 7th, kept on same pace from 2 out, 3rd of 10, 8l behind Lerida (9-12) at Carlisle 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Oct.
Oso Magic 5-1 (11-2) Led to 8th, chased leaders approaching 3 out, no extra from last, 6th of 9, 6l behind More Like It (11-2) at Catterick 2m hcp chs (4) gs in Dec.
Norminster 15-2 (10-8) Mid-division, effort approaching 9th, weakening when blundered 2 out, 9th of 11, well behind Za Beau (10-4) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Jan.
Hollows Mill 11-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, stumbled 8th, driven 5 out, ridden to chase leaders 3 out, weakened approaching last, 4th of 6, 22l behind Glimmer of Light (9-13) at Wetherby 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Jan.
