led until after 2nd, chased leader until next, went 2nd again 5th, led again approaching blundered and headed 8th, chased leaders until driven and weakened after 3 out, tailed off, went badly left last
chased leader, led after 2nd, hit next, headed briefly approaching 8th, headed 3 out and dropped to 3rd under pressure soon after, led again approaching 2 out, headed and not quicken final 120 yards
held up in last pair, good headway when stumbled 3 out, went 3rd approaching 2 out, chased leader last, driven and stayed on to lead final 120 yards
raced very wide, chased leaders until lost place and behind 7th, headway on outside approaching 2 out, stayed on to 3rd flat, finished well
took keen hold, chased leaders, niggled along 7th, weakened 3 out
took keen hold in touch, headway to chase leaders approaching 5th, led 3 out, headed before next, dropped to 4th when blundered and weakened 2 out
started very slowly and reluctant in rear, latced on to rear of field before 3rd, struggling 9th, tailed off
took keen hold, chased leadrs, went 2nd 3rd until after 5th, hung right on paddock bend after 7th, went 2nd after 3 out, pressed leader 2 out, lost 2nd last, no extra in 4th flat
always towards rear, never on terms
Realmont finished runner-up to Long Run in a Listed chase at Auteuil in 2009 before being placed in a Grade 1 there a few weeks later. He's run poorly in his two starts over timber for Donald McCain, however, and is best watched today. THE RED LAIRD looks up to winning this as he generally needs a run to put him straight and will be all the better for his placed effort at Plumpton last month. Howizee followed his surprise victory at Doncaster with a poor run at Kelso but Carmela Maria won twice in quick succession here in December and was probably feeling the effects when disappointing at Sedgefield. Azulada Bay appears better with plenty of give in the ground and Ballymacduff is better handicapped over fences.
Realmont (FR) 15-2 (10-12) Disputed 2nd, lost place 3 out, soon ridden, weakened before next, tailed off, 5th of 8, well behind Rudemeister (10-12) at Catterick 3m 1f nov hdl (4) gs in Jan.
The Red Laird 13-2 (10-6) Blundered 1st, chased leaders, led soon after 3 out, strongly pressed next, kept slight advantage until headed going to last, readily held flat, kept on for clear 2nd, 2nd of 9, 7l behind Storm Survivor (10-13) at Plumpton 3m 1f cond hcp hdl 0-1115 (4) gs in Jan.
Howizee 9-1 (11-2) Behind, headway 3 out, never on terms, 6th of 12, 26l behind Gleann Na Ndochais (9-12) at Kelso 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-115 (4) sft in Dec.
Carmela Maria 5-4fav (10-12) In touch, lost place 4th, headway on outside after 4 out, outpaced after next, no impression from 2 out, 5th of 8, 7l behind Oniz Tiptoes (10-10) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Jan.
Azulada Bay (IRE) 16-1 (10-13) Led to 7th, remained close up until ridden before 3 out, weakening when blundered and unseated rider 2 out, in a race won by Quetzal (11-8) at Doncaster 3m hcp ch 0-110 (4) gd in Jan, 9 ran.
Ballymacduff (IRE) 13-2 (11-0) Took keen hold, chased leading trio, went 3rd 8th, pushed along before 4 out, soon lost 4th and weakened, 5th of 6, 24l behind Red Tanber (11-7) at Musselburgh 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-115 (4) gd.
Winged Farasi 25-1 (11-5) Led to 8th, soon beaten, 7th of 11, well behind Carmela Maria (10-8) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Finbar Flynn 66-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, weakened before 2 out, 6th of 12, 24l behind Dawn Ride (10-10) at Newcastle 3m cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft.
Moon Melody (GER) 20-1 (10-12) Made most until headed 4th, lost place before 6th, behind and struggling 4 out, never on terms after, 7th of 10, 11l behind Shan Valley (10-12) at Wetherby 2m 4f cnd hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Jan.
