always behind, tailed off before 5 out
held up mid-division, weakened before 5 out
held up in touch, chased leaders before 4 out, went 2nd before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, no extra last
tracked leaders in 3rd, reminders and lost place 4th, soon detached, pulled up before 3 out
tracked leaders, reminders before 6 out, ridden before 2 out, soon weakened
led, pushed along before 4 out, ridden and headed before 3 out, soon weakened
held up towards rear, headway after 4 out, went 4th before 3 out, went 2nd 2 out, led last on bit, shaken up and kept on well
always behind, pulled up before 3 out
tracked leader, led before 3 out, ridden and headed last, kept on and no impression on winner
held up towards rear, headway 4 out, ridden before 3 out, soon went 3rd, one pace
held up towards rear, weakened after 4 out
held up in touch, ridden and weakened before 3 out
prominent, weakened before 4 out, pulled up before 3 out
prominent, pushed along before 3 out, soon weakened
A disappointing end to an otherwise decent midweek card in January. Newcastle fourth Top Billing certainly has the ability to figure in a race like this while Burnthill could also feature. Balinderry is back over the smaller obstacles after a couple of runs over fences and is another for the short-list while Another Dimension was third at Catterick last month, though still beaten almost 20 lengths. THURNHAM is no more than a token selection as he's finished last in both starts since returning from a lengthy absence. But he should be approaching peak fitness now and did show definite signs of promise a couple of years ago. Blue Sea Of Ibrox was only beaten four lengths at Market Rasen last time but was well behind Top Billing on his previous outing.
Ravens Secret 10-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, went poor 5th from 3 out, soon weakened, pulled up after 2 out, in a race won by Carmela Maria (9-7) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Dec '11, 13 ran.
Milan Of Hope (IRE) 100-1 (10-12) Tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, soon reminders, weakened from 3 out, last of 6, well behind Warden Hill (11-4) at Doncaster 3m nh nov hdl (4) gd in Dec.
Another Dimension (IRE) 10-1 (10-4) Chased leaders until lost place 4th, rallied to 4th 7th, stayed on to modest 3rd before 2 out, 3rd of 9, 20l behind Smadynium (11-6) at Catterick 2m 3f con hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Dec.
Thurnham 50-1 (10-9) Chased leaders, outpaced from 7th, weakened 3 out, last of 5, well behind Hannibal The Great (11-2) at Southwell 2m 4f 4yo nov stks (4) gd in Dec.
Balinderry (IRE) 14-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, reminders 10th, pulled up 12th, in a race won by Clondaw Flicka (11-12) at Wetherby 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-110 (4) sft in Dec, 11 ran.
Oak Wood (IRE) 50-1 (11-4) Led, jumped left 1st, not fluent 3rd, headed next, ridden and lost place after 6th, behind next, pulled up before 3 out, in a race won by Kings Apollo (10-9) at Towcester 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gs in Nov, 13 ran.
Top Billing 12-1 (11-2) Held up mid-division, headway 4 out, went 3rd before 2 out, kept on, 4th of 18, 13l behind Snapping Turtle (11-6) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Dec.
Lucas Pitt 100-1 (10-12) Always behind, tailed off, 13th of 16, well behind Going Concern (10-12) at Chepstow 2m nh nov hdl (4) hvy in Nov.
Burnthill (IRE) 7-2fav (9-12) Tracked leader, lost place after 4 out, kept on same pace, no impression from next, 6th of 11, 21l behind Adili (10-0) at Wetherby 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft in Dec.
Blue Sea Of Ibrox (IRE) 20-1 (10-0) Led early, tracked leader, ridden and every chance when hit 2 out, kept on one pace, lost 3rd close home, 4th of 11, 4l behind Crookstown (11-9) at Market Rasen 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (5) sft in Dec.
Polo Springs 9-2 (10-2) Led, jumped right, clear 3rd, mistake 7th, mistake and headed 3 out, weakening when bad error 2 out, pulled up before last, in a race won by Commanche Dream (10-0) at Worcester 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (5) gd in Jun '12, 10 ran.
Wheelavher 6-1 (9-10) Chased leaders on outside, went 2nd 5th, led 9th, pecked next, blundered 13th, headed after 4 out, weakened before next, went left last, 4th of 6, 30l behind Shalamiyr (11-12) at Southwell 2m 4f hcp 0-100 (5) sft in Nov.
Mumbles Bay (IRE) 7-1 (10-1) Tracked leaders, lost place 3 out, weakened next, 9th of 12, 36l behind Isthereadifference (11-8) at Ffos Las 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-95 (5) gd in Aug.
Minden March 66-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, hampered 3rd, struggling 4 out, never dangerous, 5th of 8, well behind Run Ructions Run (11-5) at Wetherby 2m 4f mrs nov hdl (4) sft in Dec.
