chased leaders, led 3 out, soon challenged, headed next, soon one pace
mid-division, under pressure halfway, weakened before 4 out
raced in rear, headway 4 out, soon chasing leaders, weakened next
held up in rear, headway 8th, chased leaders after 4 out, hit and led 2 out, soon strongly challenged, headed flat, no extra
held up, some headway 3 out, never dangerous
held up in touch, chased leaders halfway, weakened 3 out
mid-division, headway under pressure 3 out, soon ridden and weakened
led, driven when hit and headed 3 out, weakened next
mid-division, pushed along after 4 out, headway next, every chance approaching last, led flat, all out
mid-division, under pressure 4 out, soon weakened
tracked leader, lost place 4 out, soon weakened
chased leaders, weakening when slow 8th, soon behind
Gentleman Jimmy is running well and probably still on a decent mark. He's entitled to respect along with The Hudnalls, who finally got off the mark over 3m2f at Hereford last time and relishes soft ground. Catterick third Calypso Bay is another proven stayer but Quedillac, who has been chasing, might need his first outing since finishing second over a shorter trip here in October. Beside The Fire is upped in distance so we're coming down on the side of SUN TZU. Runner-up over 2m5f at Uttoxeter on his first start for Richard Newland, the Irish import should last the extra here and is probably on a decent mark at present.
Beside The Fire 5-1 (11-5) Held up in touch, jumped slowly 4 out, soon outpaced, rallied and headway 2 out, stayed on under pressure approaching last, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 2l behind Manshoor (11-3) at Plumpton 2m hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gs.
Sea Diva (IRE) 25-1 (10-6) Always towards rear, blundered badly 3rd, reminders 13, hampered 20th, no danger after, 8th of 17, 26l behind Hello Bud (10-9) at Ayr 4m hcp chs G3 (1) gd in Apr '09.
Quedillac (FR) 13-2 (10-10) Held up, not fluent 1st, mistake next, headway 5th, ridden after 9th, mistake 4 out, went 2nd 3 out, no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 10l behind Mam Ratagan (11-7) at Ffos Las 2m nov chs (4) gf in Oct.
Calypso Bay (IRE) 11-2 (11-6) Mid-division, pushed along 8th, soon outpaced, kept on from after 2 out, 3rd of 15, 5l behind Sonara (10-0) at Catterick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) gd in Dec.
El Diego (IRE) 20-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, pushed along 4 out, no impression from 3 out, 5th of 10, 16l behind Maxdelas (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) hvy in Dec.
Sun Tzu (IRE) 10-1 (11-7) Tracked leaders and keen, challenged when left in lead briefly 3 out, soon ridden and beaten, 2nd of 11, 13l behind Supreme de Paille (11-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Dec.
Timetoring 4-1 (11-2) Led, narrow lead and under pressure when fell 3 out, in a race won by Supreme de Paille (11-8) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp hdl 0-110 (4) hvy in Dec, 11 ran.
Nobby Kivambo (IRE) 14-1 (11-10) Mid-division, headway and in touch 4th, effort 3 out, soon ridden and outpaced, kept on from next, 5th of 12, 6l behind The Red Laird (11-5) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
Gilwen Glory (IRE) 8-1 (11-8) Always behind, weakened approaching 4 out, 5th of 10, 28l behind Real Treasure (11-12) at Ffos Las 2m mares hcp hdl 0-110 (4) sft in Dec.
Takamaru (FR) 15-2 (11-0) Held up towards rear, headway before 3 out, ridden before 2 out, no impression, 6th of 10, 17l behind Maxdelas (11-0) at Uttoxeter 2m 4f mdn hdl (5) hvy in Dec.
Gentleman Jimmy 13-2 (11-7) Chased leaders, lost place 8th, headway under pressure approaching 2 out, soon ridden, kept on approaching last, 3rd of 12, 3 1/2l behind The Red Laird (11-5) at Warwick 3m 1f hcp hdl 0-105 (4) sft in Dec.
The Hudnalls (IRE) 7-2 (11-12) Chased leader until 2nd, prominent, challenged after 2 out, ridden to lead and hung left approaching last, driven out, won at Hereford 3m 2f nov hcp hdl 0-95 (5) sft beating Not Talking (10-5) by 2l, 7 ran.