mid-division, outpaced 8th, weakened 4 out
tracked leader, led 5th to 7th, led again after 3 out, headed last, ridden and no extra flat
led, headed 5th, led again 7th, headed after 3 out, blundered next, soon ridden and one pace
in rear, lost touch 7th, tailed off
held up, outpaced 4 out, never on terms
chased leaders, riden 3 out, kept on same pace from next
chased leaders, effort approaching 3 out, soon ridden, kept on same pace from next
held up, hit 5th, headway 3 out, went 2nd next, led last, ridden and ran on flat
Good Outlook is the pick over Polyphon, Celtic Legend and Mexican. Good Outlook has not been the best of jumpers in the past, but despite clouting a couple of fences on his return at Leicester a fortnight ago, Richard Guest's six-year-old still managed to finish second to Cassia Heights on what was his first outing since August. If we could be sure that he were to put in a clear round today, then victory would be within his grasp in a race that will take little winning. Polyphon seems to go well at this time of the year, and has been placed on his last two starts so appears to be the main danger. Celtic Legend was only just beaten on his last visit here when ridden by Richie McGrath who is back in the plate now. Keith Reveley's charge unseated the trainer's son at Huntingdon last time and will benefit from stronger handling here. Mexican had a recent spin on the all-weather, so should be fit enough, but that is the only positive, and in a race in which bets are best kept to a minimum, we return to Good Outlook as the answer.
Loy's Lad (IRE) 22-1 (11-10) In touch, chased leader 11th, lost place 4 out, soon ridden and weakened, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Captain Mac (10-13) at Sedgefield 2m 5f hcp chs 0-105 (E) hvy, 10 ran.
Polyphon (FR) 9-4fav (11-12) Tracked leaders, joined leader 4 out, every chance next, weakened after last, 3rd of 8, 4 1/2l behind Kalou (11-7) at Musselburgh 2m hcp chs 0-110 (E) gf in Nov.
Good Outlook (IRE) 5-1 (10-13) Pulled hard in rear, headway after 2nd, led 4th, mistakes 9th and 4 out, ridden 2 out, headed and not quicken flat, 2nd of 7, 1l behind Cassia Heights (11-11) at Leicester 2m 4f hcp chs 0-115 (D) gd.
Longdale 20-1 (11-12) Held up when unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by One Five Eight (11-7) at Kelso 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-100 (E) gs, 10 ran.
Celtic Legend (FR) 3-1 (10-5) Held up, headway 5th next, chased winner, ridden when blundered and unseated rider at the last in race won by Jolly Boy (9-11) at Huntingdon 2m cnd hcp chs 0-105 (E) gd, 10 ran.
Reach The Clouds (IRE) 20-1 (11-7) Mistake 5th, always towards rear, 9th of 10, 43l behind Jazz Night (11-12) at Worcester 2m hcp chs 0-90 (F) gf in Aug.
Mexican (USA) 9-1 (10-3) Behind, ridden and outpaced 2 out, driven and kept on from last, never troubled leaders, 4th of 8, 13l behind Loulou Nivernais (10-3) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-110 (E) sft in Nov.
Native Heights (IRE) 10-1 (11-11) Tracked leaders, ridden in 2nd approaching 4 out, soon weakened, 17th of 21, well behind King Of Killeen (10-12) at Punchestown 2m 2f nov hcp chs sft in Apr.
