in touch, chased winner 5 out, ridden and kept on from 2 out, no impression flat
mid-division, outpaced when hampered 8th, soon beaten
chased leaders to 7th, soon lost place, behind from 4 out
in touch when hampered and lost place 8th, pulled up before next
tracked leader, led after 4th, headed when fell 8th
mid-division, lost placed 5th, behind when pulled up before 7th
mistakes, chased leaders, hit 9th, outpaced 3 out, soon beaten
tracked leaders, disputed lead 7th, led next, hit 5 out, ridden 2 out, driven and stayed on well flat
held up in rear, outpaced 5 out, ridden and ran on well from 2 out, nearest finish
led after 4th, chased leaders until lost place 7th, behind when fell 3 out
Welcome To Unos gets the verdict over Mr McAuley, Dark Ben, Galero and Prato. Welcome To Unos won well over hurdles here in November and duly followed up under a penalty at Huntingdon just over a week later, but Keith Reveley reckons that the handicapper will take a dim view and has decided to switch his attention to fences. Sure to have been well schooled, he has ground conditions in his favour and can make a winning start to his new career. Mr McAuley makes the trip over from Ireland again, having already finished second over fences at Ayr on his last visit. He will have learnt from that and is a danger along with Dark Ben who will improve for his chased debut second to New Alco at Sedgefield on Boxing Day. Galero was pulled up as though something was amiss on his chase bow at Newcastle in November, but the fact that he was though good enough to take on Wild Cane Ridge and co speaks volumes, and he should not be ruled out here. Prato had no chance when falling on his chase bow at Plumpton, but with his trainer's record on trips over, he cannot be discounted either. However, Welcome To Unos looks the sort to make a chaser and can come good first time.
Dark Ben (FR) 17-2 (10-13) Chased leaders, effort after 3 out, went 2nd last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 10, 17l behind New Alco (10-2) at Sedgefield 2m 5f beg chs (E) sft in Dec.
Elvis Returns 4-1 (11-7) In touch, ridden after 4 out, weakened 2 out, 4th of 10, 32l behind Franco (10-4) at Towcester 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-110 (D) gs in Dec.
Galero 13-2 (11-0) Chased leaders, reminded and pushed along after 8th, soon struggling and pulled up at the 10th in race won by King Killone (10-13) at Newcastle 3m nov chs (C) gs in Nov, 4 ran.
Italiano 6-1 (11-12) Held up, headway to take close order 4 out, weakened next, 4th of 7, 21l behind Jimmy Bond (10-2) at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-110 (D) sft in Dec.
Lucky Duck 9-1 (11-2) Made most, mistake 3rd, headed after 4 out, soon lost place, 6th of 16, 29l behind Rising Generation (11-11) at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) sft in Oct '04.
Mr Mcauley (IRE) 4-1 (11-4) Held up, headway 3 out, soon chasing winner, kept on, 2nd of 8, 2l behind Shares (10-8) at Ayr 2m beg chs (D) sft in Dec.
Prato (GER) 8-1 (11-0) Not jump well in rear, blundered 5th and 8th, struggling when fell 5 out in race won by Pass Me A Dime (11-0) at Plumpton 2m 4f beg chs (E) gd in Nov, 11 ran.
Welcome To Unos 7-2fav (11-6) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 2 out, stayed on to chase winner flat, 2nd of 11, 1/2l behind Good Outlook (10-10) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp chs 0-120 (3) gd.
