prominent early, soon mid-division, weakened before 4 out
chased leaders, lost place after 4 out, behind when pulled up before last
held up in touch, chased leaders after 4 out, one pace from 2 out
refused to race
always towards rear
held up and never dangerous
held up in rear, never a factor
held up, some headway after 4 out, never dangerous
prominent, weakened after 3 out, soon hung right
soon led, headed 4th, ridden and every chance 3 out, soon weakened
held up, headway 3 out, never on terms
mid-division, headway 4 out, every chance 2 out, led flat, headed and no extra close home
held up and never dangerous
held up, steady headway from 4th, led 3 out, edged left approaching last, headed flat, rallied and stayed on under pressure to lead near finish
prominent, led 4th, headed 3 out, hit next, not much room approaching last, one pace
Nicky Henderson's Wetherby winner Shining Strand lost no caste in defeat behind Screenplay at Newbury last time and has to be respected along with Hexham scorer Texas Holdem, who has only gone up 5lbs for that latest success, but the vote goes to Diamond Sal. The selection was good value for his win at Carlisle last time and, judged by his decent bumper form, should not be inconvenienced by today's faster ground, in fact it should help him. Wetherby handicap scorer Euro American, who is now 6lbs higher, and Peter Bowen's Sunday City, who had little chance behind runaway Huntingdon winner All Star last time, are others with solid claims. Mister Arjay probably has too much weight, while Fard du Moulin Mas has more to do than when scoring here last time and preference is for the progressive Diamond Sal.
Mister Arjay (USA) 18-1 (10-9) Led, headed after 3 out, weakened last, 7th of 15, 14l behind Nathos (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl (B) gs in Nov.
Little Sport (IRE) 8-1 (10-9) In touch, headway to lead 8th, headed next, ridden approaching 2 out, weakened approaching last, 8th of 22, 17l behind Carlovent (10-11) at Aintree 3m lst hcp hdl (A) gd in Apr '03.
Texas Holdem (IRE) 9-1 (10-12) Held up in mid-division, headway halfway, led after last, stayed on strongly, won at Hexham 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gs in Nov beating Vic The Piler (11-5) by a shd, 13 ran.
Shining Strand 10-1 (11-3) Took keen hold in rear, steady headway after 7th, ridden to chase leaders after 2 out, stayed on run-in to take 2nd final strides, 2nd of 16, 3/4l behind Screenplay (11-2) at Newbury 2m 5f nov hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd in Nov.
Renvyle (IRE) 28-1 (11-2) Mid-division, outpaced after 4 out, weakened next, 9th of 11, well behind Fard Du Moulin Mas (10-10) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gs.
Migration 40-1 (11-1) Held up in rear, weakened from 5th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Ursis (11-6) at Wetherby 2m hcp hdl 0-135 (C) sft in Oct, 6 ran.
Euro American (GER) 15-2 (11-12) Held up in rear, smooth headway approaching 3 out, ridden to lead last, ran on, won at Wetherby 2m 4f nov hcp hdl 0-105 (E) hvy beating Aston Lad (11-7) by 1 1/2l, 11 ran.
Border Tale 14-1 (11-6) In touch, headway to chase leaders approaching 3 out, weakened next, 12th of 13, 45l behind Saif Sareea (10-1) at Musselburgh 2m hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gf in Nov.
Presumptuous 13-2 (11-2) Tracked leaders, headway 4 out, every chance when fell 4 out in race won by Fard Du Moulin Mas (10-10) at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gs, 11 ran.
Fard du Moulin Mas (FR) 20-1 (10-10) With leader, led after 3rd, made rest, ridden flat, kept on, won at Doncaster 2m 3f hcp hdl 0-115 (D) gs beating Backgammon (10-12) by 3l, 11 ran.
Shirazi 25-1 (11-2) Held up towards rear, ridden, headway after 3 out, kept on same pace, 4th of 13, 11l behind Welcome To Unos (11-2) at Huntingdon 2m 5f hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gd.
Sunday City (JPN) 6-1 (10-6) Held up, headway and hit 3 out, kept on flat, no chance with winner, 2nd of 19, 15l behind All Star (11-7) at Huntingdon 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-120 (D) gd in Nov.
Tiger Frog (USA) 8-1 (11-8) Held up in touch, headway 4th, ridden next, weakened after 3 out, 8th of 11, 17l behind Mexican Pete (11-8) at Huntingdon 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (E) gf in Aug.
Down's Folly (IRE) 5-4fav (11-7) Chased leaders, ridden after 3 out, weakened after next, 8th of 12, 19l behind Little Brave (10-8) at Hereford 2m 3f nov hcp hdl 0-100 (E) gd in Nov.
Thedublinpublican (IRE) 15-2 (11-4) Tracked winner, mistake 2nd, jumped right 4th, soon weakened, behind when pulled up at the last in race won by Cruzspiel (11-4) at Fakenham 2m 4f nov hdl (D) gd in Oct, 7 ran.
Diamond Sal 5-2fav (10-10) Held up, headway approaching 2 out, led last, kept on well, won at Carlisle 2m 1f hcp hdl 0-125 (D) sft in Nov beating Pay Attention (11-12) by 2 1/2l, 14 ran.
Gatorade (NZ) 14-1 (11-3) Held up, weakened approaching 11th, behind when pulled up 3 out in race won by Oso Magic (11-0) at Newcastle 2m 4f hcp chs 0-125 (D) gs in Nov, 11 ran.
