led, hit 8th, mistake next, headed before 3 out, no extra next
tracked leaders, challenged 3 out, soon ridden, no impression on winner flat, stayed on same pace, lost 2nd towards finish
tracked leader, led before 3 out, stayed on flat, driven out
held up, not fluent and ridden 3 out, went 3rd when mistake 2 out, edged right and stayed on flat, went 2nd towards finish, unable to reach winner
held up, pushed along from 6th, never able to get on terms, weakened before 4 out
Shadrack found the trip too far last time at Catterick but usually finds at least one too good. Maybe McCoy's presence will inspire BENEFIT CUT to stage a revival as he would have beaten Shadrack at Aintree in the autumn had he stayed on his feet. Stuart Edmunds' charge still has plenty of weight but gets a tentative vote. Distime is another apparently closely matched with Shadrack on the form book and could go close while Bobcatbilly is better than he showed at Ascot last time, though is high enough in the weights now. Wings Of Smoke will enjoy the quicker ground and has been dropped a few pounds of late. Tim Vaughan's grey should also be thereabouts in a tricky little contest.
Benefit Cut (IRE) 6-1 (11-12) Tracked leader, pushed along and weakened from 10th, pulled up, in a race won by Tenor Nivernais (11-9) at Kempton 2m 4f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Nov, 7 ran.
Shadrack (IRE) 22-1 (11-12) Prominent 2nd, led next, headed 5th, led 7th headed next, one pace before 3 out, weakened after 2 out, 6th of 7, well behind Saint Are (11-7) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gs.
Bobcatbilly (IRE) 8-1 (10-10) Chased leader until 5th, chased leaders, weakened 4 out, tailed off, 10th of 12, 44l behind Rebel Rebellion (10-11) at Ascot 2m 5f hcp chs (2) sft in Jan.
Wings Of Smoke (IRE) 20-1 (11-4) Behind, mistake 1st, left poor 4th from 5th went 3rd before 3 out until after last, never dangerous, 4th of 6, 22l behind Mwaleshi (11-7) at Haydock 2m 5f grd chs (5yo+) (2) hvy in Jan.
Distime (IRE) 9-2fav (11-2) Held up in touch, chased leaders 3 out, soon ridden, close up in 4th on outside when fell 2 out, in a race won by Sa Suffit (11-9) at Sedgefield 2m 4f hcp chs 0-140 (3) sft in Jan, 9 ran.
