raced on inside, led until 8th, chased leader, driven along after 9th, lost 2nd next, weakened before 3 out
chased leader until 3rd, reminder soon after, chased leaders, lost place and jumped slowly 4th, tailed off 9th, pulled up soon after
chased leaders, went 2nd 3rd until before 6th, 2nd before 4 out until next, beaten when left modest 4th 2 out
always behind, tailed off 4 out
held up and keen, tailed off and pulled up after 5th
held up, good headway chasing leaders before 4 out, travelling strongly and every chance when slithered on landing and fell 2 out
tracked leaders, outpaced before 4 out, beaten when left modest 3rd and hampered 2 out
held up, good headway 5th, tracking leaders 7th, went 2nd and hit 3 out, led soon after, ridden and headed before last, stayed on same pace run-in
Transpennine Star never saw another rival at Stratford nine days ago and came home in splendid isolation. Though it’s difficult to take that form at face value, he could still be well treated here with only a 7lb penalty though is unlikely to get an uncontested lead today. Black Anthem alternates between fences and hurdles but has been in good form over both, though has gone up 10lb for his latest success at Southwell. Heavey is only 3lb higher than when scoring at Exeter back in November and was close up when brought down over fences on his reappearance while Prabeni has each-way claims. JUGE ET PARTI didn’t take to fences at Cartmel last Sunday but has slipped to a generous-looking mark over timber and could be interesting in a race like this. Kilbrew Boy, however, may need this run.
Transpennine Star 11-2 (11-2) Raced on inside, tracked leader until led 3rd, went clear after 4th, 30 lengths ahead between last 2, kept on strongly, unchallenged, won at Stratford 3m 2f hcp (4) sft in Aug beating North Star Oscar (11-0) by dist, 8 ran.
Juge Et Parti (FR) 6-1 (11-7) Jumped slowly, behind 2nd, tailed off 7th, pulled up after next, at Cartmel 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Aug.
Kilbrew Boy (IRE) 8-1 (11-12) Held up in touch, ridden before 2 out, one pace and no impression in 4th when left 3rd from last, 3rd of 10, 12 1/2l behind Everlanes (11-8) at Kempton 3m hcp (4) gs in Mar.
Leith Hill Lad 6-1 (12-0) Blundered 1st, behind and not always fluent, blundered 10th and again 12th, struggling next, lost touch when blundered and almost fell 4 out, soon pulled up, at Kempton 3m hcp (4) gd in Oct.
Black Anthem (IRE) 11-8fav (11-12) Jumped right at times, chased leaders, shaken up 9th, went 2nd after 3 out, led next, clear last, just pushed out and always doing enough, won at Southwell 3m hcp (5) gd in Jul beating Istimraar (10-9) by 1l, 7 ran.
Prabeni 20-1 (11-7) Mid-division, headway on outside 8th, not fluent 4 out, ridden after 3 out, beaten 2 out, 4th of 9, 14 1/4l behind Bannixtown Glory (11-4) at Bangor-on-Dee 2m 7f hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Heavey 11-8fav (11-2) Mid-division, mistake 1st, jumped awkwardly 8th and 11th, made slight progress before brought down by faller 4 out, at Perth 3m hcp (4) gd in Jul.
Aeglos (IRE) 10-1 (11-4) Chased leaders on outside, awkward landing 3rd, mistake next, lost place and mistake 5th, closed briefly before 8th, blundered and weakened next, pulled up before 10th, at Uttoxeter 2m 4f hcp (4) gd in Aug.
Certainly Red 12-1 (11-1) Raced wide chasing leaders, weakening when mistake last (normal 2 out), 8th of 14, 18 1/4l behind Flight Deck (11-7) at Newbury 2m 5f hcp (4) sft in Feb.
