made most until headed 14th, weakened 3 out
with leader until approaching 12th, weakened 3 out
chased leaders, led 14th, clear from 3 out
held up, stumbled badly 5th, chased winner approaching 5 out, no impression
held up, blundered 7th, struggling from 14th, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
in rear, jumped slow, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up after 4 out
held up, in touch 15th, one pace 3 out
chased leaders, weakened approaching 14th
held up, went 3rd 2 out, one pace when not fluent last
chased leaders, behind from 8th, weakened from 14th
Nonrunner
YOUNGSTOWN gets the vote here ahead of Le Vert Galant and Coldwells. Donald McCain's Luso gelding stayed on well to score at Market Rasen last time out, when encountering heavy ground. It seems like he excels in those conditions so any rain would be in his favour, but with a 4lb rise in the weights for that success not looking prohibitive, the feeling is that he should run well. Border Reiver has stamina questions to answer as he steps up in trip, Mr Barnacle needs to improve his jumping before he will be winning, whilst Super Baby and Reel Charmer have won races but in lesser grade before. With his horses tending to run well when well-backed, a market watch may be advisable for the Ferdy Murphy-trained gelding Galant Vert after a promising run last time out, whilst Starbeat's recent effort here was a step in the right direction. Course and distance winners Coldwells and Sparkling Taff need considering, especially the former whose second to Garleton reads well, however it is Youngstown who is given the vote.
Reel Charmer 8-1 (10-12) Held up in touch, weakened approaching 12th, 6th of 8, well behind Huka Lodge (10-8) at Carlisle 3m hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Nov.
Super Baby (FR) 7-2fav (10-11) Led or disputed lead until lost place after 5 out, soon outpaced, rallied to chase winner 3 out, soon ridden and no impression, lost 2nd after last, 3rd of 10, 10l behind My Arch (10-13) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Youngstown (IRE) 5-1 (10-13) Tracked leading pair, went 2nd 13th, challenged 3 out, led next, ridden and stayed on flat, won at Market Rasen 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-130 (3) hvy in Nov beating Pelo Du Bief (9-7) by 2 1/4l, 5 ran.
Border Reiver 14-1 (11-2) Held up, ridden 12th, never dangerous, 9th of 14, 28l behind Double Vodka (11-2) at Catterick 2m 3f beg chs (4) sft.
Nile Moon (IRE) 12-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, outpaced 4 out, 6th and beaten when mistake last, 6th of 10, 17l behind My Arch (10-13) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (3) gs in Nov.
Le Vert Galant (FR) 11-2 (11-7) Hampered 1st, held up behind, effort 2 out, soon driven and outpaced, no impression flat, 4th of 10, 9l behind Waterski (10-4) at Kelso 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) gs in Nov.
Star Beat 13-2 (11-0) Tracked leaders, led after 3rd, ridden approaching last, headed close home, 2nd of 10, nk behind Sycho Fred (10-1) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft.
Benny The Piler (IRE) 9-1 (11-2) Pressed winner to 7th, weakened approaching 3 out, 7th of 8, 24l behind Quinte Du Chatelet (10-13) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Nov.
Coldwells (IRE) 16-1 (10-10) Held up mid-division, chased leaders 5th, went 2nd from 12th, led 3 out, headed inside last, 2nd of 11, 2l behind Garleton (11-1) at Kelso 3m 1f hcp chs 0-115 (4) hvy in Nov.
Sparkling Taff 11-4 (10-6) Tracked leader, took closer order 7th, pushed along approaching 4 out, weakened 2 out, last of 5, 22l behind Dawn Ride (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 6f hcp chs 0-115 (4) sft in Nov.
Mr Barnacle (IRE) 10-1 (10-12) Held up, blundered 10th (water), outpaced 4 out, weakened next, behind when pulled up before last, in a race won by The Hollinwell (10-12) at Hexham 3m 1f nov stks (3) gs in Nov, 7 ran.