The step up to 3m1f at Carlisle clearly suited PHOENIX RETURNS, who left previous form behind to score by nine lengths. He has 10lb more to carry here but did score on better ground at Hexham in the autumn and may be capable of giving the weight to Henri Parry Morgan, who was better over this course and distance earlier in the month but looks beatable again off his current mark. The others have plenty to prove with El Dancer returning from a long absence and Mount Haven disappointing in a modest heat at Sedgefield. Imperial Vic is better over fences nowadays.
Phoenix Returns (IRE) 9-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, pressed leader 2 out, every chance next, ridden to lead flat, ran on, won at Carlisle 3m 1f hcp hdl (2) hvy beating Barafundle (11-2) by 6l, 9 ran.
El Dancer (GER) 9-1 (11-6) Held up in rear, not fluent 9th, pushed along next, modest 6th 5 out, soon well beaten, tailed off, 7th of 9, 48l behind Grouse Lodge (11-1) at Cheltenham 2m 5f nov ltd hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Apr '13.
Mount Haven (IRE) 1-2fav (11-0) Tracked leaders, ridden before 2 out, soon beaten, 4th of 8, 25l behind Dibdabs (10-9) at Sedgefield 2m 5f mdn hdl (5) sft.
Henri Parry Morgan 7-1 (11-12) In touch, driven to lead approaching 3 out, headed before next, rallied closing stages, kept on under pressure, 2nd of 10, 2 3/4l behind Truckers Darling (11-6) at Doncaster 3m hcp hdl 0-120 (4) sft.
Imperial Vic (IRE) 3-1fav (10-10) Held up towards rear, tracked leaders before 4th, pushed along before 12th, weakened before 4 out, jumped badly right 2 out, 6th of 10, well behind Carlito Brigante (11-12) at Kelso 3m 2f hcp chs 0-140 (3) gd in Oct.
