in rear and pushed along, struggling from 10th, pulled up
soon with leader, led 5th, headed 5 out, soon outpaced, rallied from 3 out, kept on and no impression
prominent, lost place from 5th, behind when fell next
in touch, ridden before 3 out, no impression
towards rear, took closer order 6th, led 5 out, pressed from 2 out, kept on well from last
led to 5th, tracked leader, reminders halfway, soon lost place, pulled up
towards rear, headway before 12th, went 3rd from 5 out, chased winner before 3 out, kept on same pace
in rear, headway 6 out, ridden before last, no extra
close up, lost place before 8th, pulled up
in touch, went 3rd before 12th, weakened from 6 out, tailed off, pulled up
OVER AND ABOVE has won this for the past two seasons though both times carrying the minimum weight. He scored at Cartmel in June from just 2lb lower so it would be no shock if he completed a hat-trick in the race. Thatildee went up 8lb for his victory at Hexham where he was left clear at the last and it was no disgrace to finish runner-up at Sedgefield so he looks a threat to all. The lightly-raced Veroce hasn't proved he stays the trip while Debt To Society was well beaten in a seller over hurdles when last seen in June. Admiral Blake completed a double over timber two years ago and has had very little racing subsequently. He fell on his chasing debut but should be better for a recent spin over hurdles.
Debt To Society (IRE) 22-1 (11-12) Held up towards rear, headway before 4 out, weakened from 2 out, 6th of 12, 23 1/2l behind What A Steel (11-0) at Hexham 2m 7f (4) gd in Jun.
Urban Gale (IRE) 12-1 (10-12) Mid-division, under pressure halfway, soon behind, pulled up before 4 out, at Catterick 3m 1f hcp (4) sft in Dec.
Thatildee (IRE) 9-4 (11-7) Led to 14th, led again 15th, ridden and headed narrowly before last, one pace run-in, 2nd of 4, 3 1/2l behind Not A Bother Boy (12-5) at Sedgefield 3m 2f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Veroce (FR) 5-4fav (10-12) Tracked leader, led after 3rd, headed 5th, rallied 3 out, kept on well closing stages, 3rd of 5, 5 1/4l behind Verko (11-1) at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
Auldthunder (IRE) 20-1 (11-6) Always towards rear, struggling from 10th, tailed off, 9th of 11, dist behind Aregra (10-3) at Catterick 2m 3f hcp (5) gs in Dec.
Over And Above (IRE) 11-1 (11-6) Prominent, weakened from 5 out, 4th of 11, 10 1/2l behind Not A Bother Boy (11-12) at Sedgefield 3m 2f hcp (5) sft in Nov.
Treliver Manor (IRE) 13-2 (10-13) Held up in rear, weakened 9th, no danger after, 5th of 9, 14 1/4l behind Wakhan (10-9) at Musselburgh 3m hcp (4) gs in Jan.
Admiral Blake 9-1 (10-13) Held up towards rear, headway before 4 out, went 3rd from 3 out, one pace, 3rd of 8, 15l behind Minellacelebration (11-12) at Exeter 2m 6f hcp (5) hvy in Nov.
Cara Court (IRE) 16-1 (10-9) Led until 9th, chased leaders, went right 3rd, driven and hit 13th, weakened soon after, tailed off, 6th of 8, dist behind Kilcascan (11-4) at Southwell 3m 2f hcp (5) hvy in Dec.
Samson Collonges (FR) 14-1 (10-0) Chased leaders, under pressure 8th, struggling in rear when rider fell off at last, at Carlisle 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Dec.
