pulled hard early, in touch, hit 5th and 6th, headway 3 out, effort 2 out, soon weakened
in touch, lost place before 2 out
mid-division, effort 3 out, soon outpaced, stayed on after last, never able to challenge, modest 4th
held up, outpaced 8th, headway 3 out, chasing leaders when mistake next, no extra
led, hard ridden when blundered last, headed flat, no extra
chased leaders, weakened after 3 out
held up in rear, pushed along 8th, weakened 4 out
prominent, hard driven 8th, soon lost place, behind when pulled up before last
mid-division, headway before 2 out, led after last, stayed on well (1 hurdle ommited)
held up in rear, headway 3 out, chased leader next, kept on same pace
Carmela Maria gained a surprise victory in this a year ago and is now 5lb lower thanks to some very moderate form though there's no doubt she loves this track and shouldn't be written off. ROYAL DEAL is a prolific winner between the flags but hasn't quite managed to transfer that ability to hurdling though he was touched off in the dying strides at Doncaster last time and this looks his opportunity. Stagecoach Jasper has never been further than 2m3f and faces a stiff task but Winstone looks a nice staying prospect though an absence since April won't help. Dundock plods round in his own time nowadays while Any Given Moment is another who has had a break and may need the run.
Stagecoach Jasper 6-1 (11-5) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, one pace from next, 4th of 16, 9l behind Rear Admiral (11-1) at Catterick 2m 3f con hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
Winstone (IRE) 9-2 (11-11) Tracked leader, headway 3 out, challenged before 2 out, ridden and weakened before last, 3rd of 4, 16l behind Locked Inthepocket (11-8) at Perth 2m 4f nov hcp 0-115 (4) sft in Apr.
Royal Deal 11-1 (11-5) Held up in touch, ridden before 2 out, led last, soon ridden and hung right, soon edged left, headed last 100 yards, kept on towards finish, just held, 2nd of 13, hd behind Killimore Cottage (10-11) at Doncaster 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Nov.
Dundock 8-1 (11-11) Held up behind, headway 3 out, ridden before 2 out, one pace, 6th of 14, 13l behind Caught In The Act (10-9) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy in Oct.
Our Jim 25-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders, not always fluent, outpaced 9th, weakened before 3 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Earcomesthedream (11-4) at Towcester 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft, 13 ran.
Auberge (IRE) 11-1 (11-6) Chased leaders, reminder after 4 out, soon weakened, 8th of 10, 31l behind Goldtrek (10-1) at Musselburgh 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Nov.
Oniz Tiptoes (IRE) 14-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, soon behind, tailed off from 8th, soon pulled up, in a race won by Flying Doctor (11-1) at Cartmel 3m 2f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs in Aug, 7 ran.
Mrs Eff 10-1 (10-10) Tracked leader, led 7th, headed 3 out, weakened before next, 4th of 11, 22l behind Doyly Carte (11-3) at Catterick 2m 3f mrs nov hdl (4) gs.
Carmela Maria 22-1 (10-9) With leader, led 4th, headed next, led again 6th until after 8th, mistake next, weakened after 3 out, 7th of 13, 28l behind Earcomesthedream (11-4) at Towcester 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft.
Stop On 33-1 (11-4) Chased leaders in 4th, weakened before 2 out, 8th of 14, 22l behind Caught In The Act (10-9) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) hvy in Oct.
Any Given Moment (IRE) 7-2 (10-0) Chased leaders, hit 6th, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Gleann Na Ndochais (9-12) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Dec '11, 12 ran.
