held up, headway 3 out, stayed on from next
chased leaders, held when fell 2 out
mid-division, ridden 5 out, never troubled leaders
led, headed 4 out, soon beaten
always in rear
in touch, blundered and unseated rider 1st
chased leaders, led 4 out, clear next
chased leaders, ridden halfway, stayed on from 3 out, never able to challenge
Tipsy Indian appeared not to stay 2m4f when well beaten at Sedgefield last time, but had won over the same fences before that over a shorter trip. He's 8lb higher today, however, and a chance is taken on one moving in the opposite direction in the weights. TOOMAN LANE is 4lb lower than when fourth in a higher grade chase at Perth back in May and, with a recent pipe-opener under his belt, could be ready to strike. Prince Tam has struggled since landing a double at Newcastle early last year but the handicapper has relented by dropping him 5lb, but the rest remain out of sorts and hard to fancy.
Tooman Lane (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Tracked leaders, driven and outpaced approaching 3 out, ridden and weakened before next, 6th of 7, 48l behind Flying Squad (11-11) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Nov.
Tipsy Indian 5-1 (11-8) Tracked leader until 12th, no impression in 4th after 3 out, weakened approaching last, 6th of 13, 20l behind Sycho Fred (10-3) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gs in Dec.
Prince Tam 16-1 (11-5) Led to 2nd, dropped in mid-division, chased leaders before 3 out, ridden before last, soon weakened, 6th of 11, 19l behind Panthers Run (9-9) at Hexham 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) sft in Nov.
Lerida 33-1 (10-12) Led 2nd, headed 5th, ridden 8th, lost place next, behind 4 out, tailed off, 9th of 10, well behind Tipsy Indian (10-11) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Nov.
Rince Donn (IRE) 13-2 (10-10) Held up in touch, mistake and last from 5th, weakened after 8th, 6th of 7, 41l behind Chilbury Hill (11-7) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Oct.
Penton Hook 250-1 (10-7) Held up towards rear, weakened from 4 out, tailed off, 7th of 9, well behind Houston Dynimo (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 1f nh nov hdl (4) gd in Oct.
Strathaird (IRE) 9-2 (9-11) Tracked leaders, jumped left 1st, mistake 6th in rear, went 4rd before 4 out, chased winner before 2 out, no impression, 2nd of 4, 23l behind Whatshallwedo (10-0) at Bangor 2m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) hvy in Dec.
Norminster 20-1 (9-11) Tracked leaders on outside, led 5th, headed before next, lost place next, behind 3 out, 6th of 10, 34l behind Tipsy Indian (10-11) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Nov.