chased leaders, led 5th, headed 3 out, one pace when hampered next
held up and not fluent, never dangerous
held up, prominent 7th, challenging when left in lead 2 out
kept on well, held up mid-division, outpaced 7th, weakened after 4 out
led to 3rd, remained close up, led again when hit 3 out, narrow lead when blundered badly and unseated rider 2 out
in touch, ridden to challenge 2 out, kept on from last, not pace of winner
held up behind, pushed along after 4th, reminders approaching 8th, never dangerous
chased leader, led 3rd, headed 5th, lost place from next, tailed off 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
mid-division, hit 6th, outpaced next, one pace when left modest 4th 2 out
always behind, tailed off 4 out
PALOMAR is the pick with Hernando's Boy and Kings Quay the others to make appeal. Nicky Richards' gelding was a useful hurdler on his day and he produced an entirely competent display to see of Naiad Du Misselot and can make his ability count in Northern events of this nature. Hernando's Boy won over 2m4f last time out. A dour stayer, he cannot afford to be campaigned too far off the pace around here. Kings Quay would be a welcome winner for John Quinn having lost Crow Wood at Wetherby yesterday. He did make a couple of errors on chasing debut so is likely to have had plenty of remedial schooling since. Arcalis is respected on some of his old hurdles form but he has not looked in love with the game of late and this switch to chasing appears his last chance. Double Vodka seemed to show his best in big fields when previously seen hurdling. Bedlam Boy proved a bitter disappointment at Sedgefield against weaker opposition. The remainder look difficult to make cases for. A good race that can go to Palomar.
Hernando's Boy 3-1 (10-11) Made all, ridden 3 out, kept on well, won at Musselburgh 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd beating Laborec (11-0) by 2 1/2l, 11 ran.
Kings Quay 3-1 (10-13) Tracked leader, pecked on landing and good recovery 1st, hampered 6th, not fluent 9th, led after 2 out, soon ridden clear, won at Fakenham 2m nov chs (3) sft beating Silvo (10-6) by 18l, 5 ran.
Palomar (USA) 9-4 (11-0) Held up in rear, blundered badly 9th, headway approaching last, led flat, stayed on well, won at Kelso 2m 1f beg chs (4) sft in Nov beating Naiad du Misselot (11-0) by 3 1/2l, 9 ran.
Arcalis 33-1 (11-7) Held up, ridden 4 out, soon beaten, last of 6, 33l behind Punjabi (11-7) at Wetherby 2m hdl Grd 1 (1) sft.
Bedlam Boy (IRE) 7-2jt-fav (11-1) Held up on outside, headway 10th, outpaced 4 out, weakened after next, 6th of 11, 38l behind Cast Iron Casey (11-1) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (4) sft in Nov.
Double Vodka (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Tracked leader, ridden and every chance approaching 2 out, soon one pace, 3rd of 8, 8l behind Joe Jo Star (10-2) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gd.
Island Key (IRE) 100-1 (11-1) In touch, lost place halfway, soon struggling, tailed off from 4 out, 10th of 11, well behind Cast Iron Casey (11-1) at Sedgefield 2m 4f beg chs (4) sft in Nov.
Marsam (IRE) 25-1 (11-1) Led, headed 4 out, soon driven and weakened, 6th of 10, 33l behind Merchant Red (11-1) at Wetherby 2m beg chs (4) gf in Nov.
Falcon's Tribute (IRE) 8-1 (10-11) In rear, headway 4 out, 4th and beaten when fell 3 out in race won by Frith (10-2) at Catterick 2m hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd, 11 ran.
Pendle Forest (IRE) 125-1 (10-7) Always behind, lost touch from 9th, 9th of 11, well behind Hernando's Boy (10-11) at Musselburgh 2m 4f beg chs (4) gd.
