held up in rear, effort 4 out, headway approaching next, one pace from 2 out, no impression
led, headed approaching 3 out, blundered next, soon weakened, pulled up before last
in touch, ridden 3 out, stayed on to chase winner after last, no impression
always prominent, led after 4 out, clear last, eased flat
in rear, outpaced approaching 7th, steady headway approaching 3 out, chased winner approaching last until no extra flat
chased leader, weakened after 4 out
Nonrunner
Perfect Punch is preferred here to Sands Rising and Birdwatch. The selection ran his best race for a while last time when chasing home Marshall Hall. He has ground conditions to suit here and if he can build on that latest effort then he should take plenty of beating. Sands Rising would be interesting on his best form but he was bitterly disappointing last time out and for that reason we will take him on. Birdwatch was well beaten by our selection last time out and although he is entitled to get close on these terms he still looks to have a little to find. Lauderdale is on a handy mark and could go well at a price but for the winner we will stick with Perfect Punch.
Sands Rising 6-1 (10-1) Always behind, 5th of 6, well behind Silver Jack (10-9) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy.
Alfy Rich 7-1 (11-5) Tracked leaders, led 6th to 11th, outpaced 4 out, ridden and kept on same pace from next, 3rd of 8, 9l behind Silver Sedge (11-12) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (4) gs in Nov.
Posh Stick 20-1 (10-0) Mid-division, outpaced 11th, 4th of 6, 29l behind Silver Jack (10-9) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy.
Kalic d'Alm (FR) 33-1 (11-0) Held up mid-division, outpaced from 3 out, 7th of 11, 23l behind Marshall Hall (11-8) at Ayr 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft.
Duke Orsino (IRE) 7-2 (11-4) Tracked leaders, mistake 6th, pushed along 8th, soon weakened, last of 4, 15l behind Ela Re (11-4) at Wetherby 2m beg chs (4) sft in Dec.
Birdwatch 12-1 (11-8) Chased leaders, lost place halfway, 9th of 11, well behind Marshall Hall (11-8) at Ayr 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft.
Lord Saar (IRE) 4-1fav (10-3) Behind, effort under pressure 4 out, soon weakened, tailed off when pulled up 2 out in race won by Storymaker (11-3) at Kelso 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-90 (5) sft in Jan, 14 ran.
Perfect Punch 16-1 (10-10) Held up, headway approaching 4 out, stayed on well to take 2nd near finish, 2nd of 11, 3l behind Marshall Hall (11-8) at Ayr 2m nov hcp chs 0-100 (4) sft.
