tracked leaders, mistake 3rd, under pressure 3 out, weakened after next
held up, slow 2nd, mistake 5th, weakened 3 out
led until after 4 out, led again before next, mistake 2 out, headed last, no extra closing stages
held up in rear, lost touch 5 out, behind when pulled up before 3 out
in touch, headway to lead after 4 out, headed before next, weakened 2 out
tracked leader, outpaced 3 out, rallied next, led last, kept on well
NonRunner
ORIENTAL CROSS returned to winning ways when scoring by a wide-margin at Southwell last week. Tim Vaughan’s mare has 7lb extra to carry but this doesn’t look a strong handicap. Never Equalled looked like finishing in a place when hampered and unseating at Lingfield recently and could go well again but Francky Du Berlais is fitted with additional headgear having finished thereabouts once again at Uttoxeter last time. Unwin Vc may finish closer on the back of a recent reappearance and Adimelo reverts to hurdling having fallen over fences at Exeter last month.
Unwin Vc 9-4 (10-12) Tracked leaders, effort after 3 out, soon one pace, 4th of 9, 12 1/2l behind Cat Tiger (10-12) at Exeter 2m 6f (3) sft in Nov.
Adimelo (FR) 11-1 (11-12) In rear, slow 9th, no impression 4 out, fell 2 out, at Exeter 2m 3f hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Francky Du Berlais (FR) 7-1 (11-9) Always prominent, reminder after 5th, chased leader approaching 8th until after 9th, weakened 3 out, 3rd of 9, 7 3/4l behind Final Choice (11-12) at Uttoxeter 2m 7f hcp (3) sft in Oct.
Rooster Cogburn (IRE) 25-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, hampered 1st, headway 3 out, chased leaders next, never able to challenge, 4th of 13, 16l behind Remastered (10-12) at Ffos Las 2m (4) hvy in Nov.
Meteorite 40-1 (11-0) Held up towards rear, plugged on from 2 out, 7th of 13, 21 1/2l behind Imperial Alcazar (11-0) at Aintree 2m 4f mdn (4) sft in Oct.
Never Equalled (IRE) 7-2 (10-12) Led, headed narrowly 2 out, in 3rd and looking held when badly hampered by fallen horse and unseated rider last, at Lingfield 2m 3f hcp (3) hvy in Nov.
Oriental Cross (IRE) 9-2 (12-0) Tracked leaders on outside, led going well approaching 2 out, went clear before last, easily, won at Southwell 2m 4f hcp (4) hvy in Nov beating Ishyaboi (11-6) by 7l, 6 ran.