mid-division, headway out wide tracking leaders before 3rd, towards rear and struggling 3 out, tailed off
off the pace towards rear, left moderate 5th last
chased leader until led 5th, hit 3 out, headed and weakened before 2 out, left 4th at the last
raced in 4th, 3rd going well 3 out, led before next, left clear at the last, no extra under pressure and headed run-in
held up in mid-division, headway after 3 out, 3rd before 2 out, left 2nd at the last, driven ahead run-in
off the pace and always towards rear
off the pace in rear, closer at 5th, left modest 3rd last
led until 5th, chased leader, every chance when jinked left and unseated rider last
off the pace and always towards rear
chased leading pair, not fluent 5th, lost 3rd 3 out, soon weakened and pulled up in home straight
off the pace and always towards rear, tailed off
NonRunner
THEREISNODOUBT was an eye-catcher when fifth at Wetherby on his reappearance. He ran well in defeat on several occasions last season and the handicapper is finally starting to show him some mercy. Lock's Corner almost made a successful return to hurdling in an amateurs’ race at Ludlow and is thrown in on past form. Spantik was third stepping up to this trip at Newcastle but Hajey was a disappointing favourite at Sedgefield. Bollin Neil seems to be running into form and Not What It Seems is on a four-timer but has disappointed when tried previously in handicaps. Hungry Tiger might need this.
Dr Sanderson (IRE) 20-1 (11-10) Chased leaders out wide, pushed along and outpaced before 3 out, soon weakened, last of 7, 19l behind Parisencore (11-8) at Wetherby 2m hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Snookered (IRE) 11-1 (10-9) Held up in last pair, headway chasing leaders 8th, pushed along and weakened before 3 out, bad mistake next, 6th of 8, 34 3/4l behind Wakool (11-7) at Ayr 3m hcp (3) gs in Oct.
Thereisnodoubt (IRE) 18-1 (11-5) Held up in rear, ridden approaching 2 out, plugged on through beaten rivals from 2 out, 5th of 12, 11 1/4l behind Iroko (11-4) at Wetherby 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Nov.
Not What It Seems (IRE) 10-11fav (11-12) Led, went left 3rd, pushed along before 3 out, joined 3 out, hit next, narrowly headed before the last, rallied gamely to lead again and hung right run-in, held on, won at Wetherby 2m 4f (4) gd in Oct beating Ballyporeen (11-0) by hd, 6 ran.
Lock's Corner (IRE) 12-1 (11-7) Towards rear, headway 4 out, driven to lead 3 out, headed run-in, 2nd of 12, nk behind Blenkinsop (10-12) at Ludlow 2m 5f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Spantik 7-1 (11-11) Chased leader, not fluent 5 out, ridden to press leader 2 out, upsides and every chance last when not fluent, kept on same pace flat and lost 2nd, 3rd of 9, 5 1/2l behind Starlyte (11-5) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Nov.
Bellaney Gem (IRE) 16-1 (12-2) Tracked leaders, 7th halfway, pushed along from over 3f out, kept on one pace no impression, 8th of 15, dist behind Carrig Carol (11-12) at Fairyhouse 2m 4f hcp sft in Nov.
Hajey 13-8jfav (10-8) Led narrowly, headed after 3 out, pushed along before 2 out, ran on same pace, 3rd of 4, 14 1/4l behind Finisk River (11-10) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
We'll Go Again (IRE) 6-1 (11-10) Hampered just after start, held up in rear, headway on outside after 3 out, not fluent 2 out, went 3rd flat, no impression on front pair, 3rd of 10, 13 1/2l behind Happy And Fine (11-13) at Market Rasen 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Nov.
Bollin Neil 8-1 (10-13) Towards rear, headway 2 out, ridden approaching last, kept on without troubling winner, 2nd of 5, 2l behind Paddy The Horse (11-9) at Hexham 2m hcp stks (4) sft in Nov.
Hungry Tiger (IRE) 7-2fav (10-5) Front mid-division, pushed along in 5th before last, ridden 1f out on run-in, stayed on strongly to press winner, just denied, 2nd of 12, shd behind Benito (10-5) at Cartmel 2m 6f hcp (4) gs in Jun.
Curious Times (IRE) 16-1 (10-0) Led, ridden and joined 3 out, soon headed and no extra, weakened, last of 11, dist behind Nibiru (10-1) at Down Royal 2m 1f hcp sft in Nov.
