behind, struggling from 9th, tailed off when pulled up before 11th
chased leader, led before last, stayed on well
chased leaders, reminders approaching 8th, outpaced 3 out
led, headed before last, one pace
chased leaders, ran in snatches, stayed on from last
always behind, pushed along after 8th, ridden approaching 4 out, soon weakened
in rear and mistakes, struggling from 8th, tailed off when pulled up before 11th
Nonrunner
In contrast to the opener this is not the best handicap chase staged here but we must offer a selection and that is MAN OF THE MOMENT, while Toy Gun looks to be the main danger. The latter won over course and distance last time, also on bottomless ground, and has gone up a stiff enough 9lbs for winning less than three lengths. Therefore this assignment looks a fair bit tougher today and as he is inconsistent we will take him on. Man Of The Moment gets the nod and has made the lengthy trip up from Jim Best's Lewes yard to be the first runner he has ever saddled at the track. The grey has had just four career runs and is yet to score, but there are definite signs this season that he is going the right way. He has always looked a chasing type, he loves soft ground, and he has a fair mark for his chasing debut, so we will take a chance on him. Blue Rising has had a number of tries over fences and not yet been good enough to win. Conditions and trip suit, but he has a bit to find here, and the same goes for Nelliedonethat, who is weighted to finish very close to Ferdy Murphy's runner based on their Sedgefield running last month. Stark Raven likes it here and has shown bits of ability. His trainer had a recent winner to boot, and the gelding could get involved at a likely price here, but we'll side with Man Of The Moment.
Esquillon 33-1 (10-13) In touch, lost place 8th, soon ridden and behind, tailed off, 9th of 10, well behind Solway Sunset (11-6) at Ayr 2m 5f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gs in Nov.
Toy Gun (IRE) 11-4fav (10-10) Chased leaders, led 11th, clear next, challenged last, stayed on gamely flat, all out, won at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Oct beating Garleton (11-8) by 3l, 9 ran.
Blue Rising 18-1 (10-12) Held up, headway 13th, ridden to chase leaders approaching 2 out, 3rd and no impression when hit last, 4th of 11, 6l behind Shulmin (10-12) at Sedgefield 3m 3f cnd hcp chs (5) sft in Nov.
Nelliedonethat (IRE) 3-1jt-fav (10-9) Not fluent mid-division, headway 13th, challenged 4 out, led before 2 out, ridden and headed between last 2, kept on same pace flat, 2nd of 11, 3l behind Shulmin (10-12) at Sedgefield 3m 3f cnd hcp chs (5) sft in Nov.
Man of The Moment 8-1 (10-12) Mid-division, headway 3 out, kept on from next, no chance with winner, 3rd of 13, 7l behind Acosta (11-5) at Hereford 3m 2f hcp hdl (5) sft in Nov.
Hollows Mist 22-1 (9-7) Held up, headway 4 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 7, 23l behind Nicozetto (10-0) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-105 (4) hvy in Nov.
Beau Peak 80-1 (9-10) Towards rear, struggling halfway, never dangerous, 9th of 15, 50l behind Boysterous (11-0) at Hexham 2m 4f sll hcp hdl 0-90 (5) hvy in Nov.
Stark Raven 9-2 (10-9) Towards rear when fell at the 7th in race won by The Sneakster (9-9) at Cartmel 3m 2f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in May, 9 ran.
