mid-division, good headway 4 out, went 2nd 2 out, kept on approaching last, ridden and no extra flat
mid-division, hampered 8th, soon lost place, tailed off when pulled up before 3 out
behind, mistake 5th, never dangerous
in touch, outpaced approaching 3 out, soon no impression
led, headed 6th, with leader, ridden and lost place 4 out, soon weakened
towards rear, outpaced 10th, never dangerous
in touch, reminders and lost place 7th, soon behind
in touch, mistake 7th, outpaced 10th, soon beaten
behind, headway into mid-division when fell 8th
tracked leader, led 6th, ridden last, kept on until headed and no extra near finish
in touch, effort approaching 3 out, kept on same pace approaching last
in touch, chased leader 4 out, lost place when hit 2 out, no extra approaching last
in touch, driven 3 out, ridden and rallied flat, stayed on strongly to lead near finish
behind, some headway 4 out, never near leaders
mid-division on outside, hampered and lost place 8th, no danger after
mistakes, always behind
MEPHISTO may have needed the experience when he appeared a shade disappointing at Doncaster last month and we will give him a second chance here, while Osolomio and Mount Sandel look potential dangers. The selection was the best of this lot over hurdles, where he was good enough to win a couple of Grade 2 events. He relishes cut in the ground and this sort of trip looks ideal. He did jump deliberately at times on his chasing debut, but hopefully Howard Johnson will have given him plenty more practice at home and if he jumps better he can score. Osolomio won here on the flat and will want every yard of this trip over hurdles. The ground should be of no concern and he made a pleasing chase debut at Sedgefield and can build on that today. Mount Sandel has conditions and trip to suit, but his jumping will certainly need to improve from a patchy display at Leicester last time, where he was a fortunate enough runner-up, if he is to go one better here. All For The Cause has had a few chasing chances so far and not shown enough to be backed here, but if he smartened up his fencing then his hurdles form suggests he could be a player. Pamak D'Airy is gradually improving and could make his presence felt, while Sa Suffit is a very interesting chase debutant on his first start since running in France up to two years ago. Mephisto is given a second chance to show his class today.
All For The Cause (IRE) 10-3 (11-0) Tracked leaders, blundered 1st, ridden 3 out, soon one pace, 4th of 7, 17l behind Beggars Cap (11-10) at Musselburgh 2m hcp chs 0-120 (3) gf in Nov.
Braddock Island 100-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, ridden 3 out and weakened from next, 4th of 8, 33l behind Doeslessthanme (11-5) at Musselburgh 2m nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Bright Sparky (GER) 14-1 (10-1) Mid-division, reminders after 6th, ridden and weakened from 4 out, soon beaten, 7th of 10, 45l behind Justwhateverulike (11-5) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Dancer's Serenade (IRE) 7-1 (11-8) Keen early, held up, always behind, 8th of 11, 27l behind Pagan Starprincess (11-5) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) sft in Dec.
Fencote Mystery 100-1 (10-11) With leaders, weakened 5 out, 7th of 12, well behind North Island (11-0) at Catterick 2m 3f mdn chs (5) gs in Dec.
First Fought (IRE) 25-1 (10-13) Always behind, 7th of 9, 40l behind Stormy Beech (10-9) at Sedgefield 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) sft in Nov.
Johnny Harris (IRE) 50-1 (11-0) In rear, behind when pulled up 2 out in race won by Rate of Knots (10-0) at Towcester 2m 6f beg chs (5) gs in Dec, 10 ran.
Mephisto (IRE) 6-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway from 5 out, weakened from 3 out, 5th of 11, 23l behind Pop (11-0) at Doncaster 2m 3f beg chs (4) sft in Dec.
Mount Sandel (IRE) 6-1 (11-2) Held up, not fluent, pecked 6th, hampered 10th, soon behind, mistake 3 out, closed approaching 2 out, went 2nd before last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 4 1/2l behind Au Courant (11-2) at Leicester 2m 4f beg chs (4) sft in Dec.
Osolomio (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, led 9th, ridden and blundered 2 out, headed approaching last, no extra run-in, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Auroras Encore (11-0) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (4) sft in Dec.
Pamak D'airy (FR) 5-1 (10-9) Mid-division, close up 3 out, soon ridden, blundered next, gradually weakened, 3rd of 11, 5l behind Hernando's Boy (10-11) at Musselburgh 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd in Dec.
Quillan Hill 12-1 (11-9) Chasing leaders when mistake and unseated rider at the 2nd in race won by Baseball Ted (10-6) at Ascot 2m 1f nov hcp chs 0-120 (3) gs in Dec, 13 ran.
Sa Suffit (FR) (10-6) Held up, joined leaders 4 out, no impression on winner close home, 2nd of 11, 4l behind L'elu (10-4) at Pau 2m 1f NH flat in Dec '06.
Star Beat 7-1 (11-8) Held up in touch, not fluent 4th, ridden and struggling from 7th, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Sheriff Hutton (11-12) at Doncaster 3m hcp hdl 0-115 (4) gd in Dec, 14 ran.
Feeling Peckish (USA) 66-1 (10-1) Held up in touch, jumped right 4th, gradually weakened, 5th of 6, well behind Carruthers (11-0) at Fakenham 3m beg chs (4) gs.
Reel Charmer 14-1 (11-12) Mid-division, ridden 4 out, never dangerous, 10th of 12, 50l behind Final Veto (10-0) at Wetherby 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-130 (3) sft in Dec.
