led to 7th, led again approaching 9th, headed approaching 14th, soon weakened, pulled up before 2 out
held up mid-division, headway when mistake 13th, led approaching next, stayed on well from last, driven out
held up behind, headway when hampered 12th, every chance 2 out, one pace from last
in touch, close up when hampered 12th, weakened from 15th
in touch, pushed along approaching 10th, soon struggling, pulled up before 3 out
held up mid-division, headway 15th, weakened approaching 2 out
chased leaders, led 7th, headed approaching 9th, ridden 5 out, weakened 4 out
held up towards rear, pushed along after 7th, headway approaching 4 out, in 3rd when hit last, kept on towards finish
mid-division, ridden after 8th, ridden approaching 5 out, soon struggling
close up, lost place 10th
held up, pushed along 13th, soon struggling, pulled up before 5 out
close up, fell heavily 12th
towards rear, soon pushed along, headway 12th, weakened 5 out
in rear, pushed along 7th, blundered when weakening 11th, pulled up before 13th
COE is given a final chance to shine but he won't find life easy with the likes of Bannister Lane and The Ring at the top of their game. Sue Smith's charge has proved a little disappointing after promising plenty in his earlier days. That said, he has exhibited form over the course previously and 2m4f around Carlisle was probably on the sharp side. Smith could have solid claims with out-and-out stayer, Super Road Train. Bannister Lane is a likeable sort. He won at Bangor under topweight so that should not present problems on that score. The Ring looks to be having something of an Indian summer. The handicapper has had plenty of chance to do his sums but the horse appears in good heart at present. Huka Lodge and Hidden Bounty should be at the pipe and slippers stage of their respective careers but the pair revel in the mud and can give their supporters a good run for their money. The Gangerman flopped at Carlisle when favourite and this appears a much trickier assignment. Iwillrememberyou was a fair hurdler on his day though has it to prove over these obstacles. Matcho Pierji has shown glimmers of ability in the past and Jonjo O'Neill is sending out winners. Lucky Nellerie has had something of a break and might be best of the rest. Plenty of plausible victors here and Coe is offered as the most likely.
Bannister Lane 12-1 (11-12) Led, headed approaching 4th, regained lead 5th, ridden approachng 2 out, stayed on well, won at Bangor 3m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec beating New Perk (10-5) by 2 1/2l, 13 ran.
Coe (IRE) 8-1 (10-13) Chased leaders, ridden and outpaced 3 out, 4th of 11, 11l behind Skippers Brig (11-5) at Carlisle 2m 4f nov chs (3) hvy in Dec.
Iwillrememberyou (IRE) 9-1 (10-10) Prominent, not fluent 2nd, led 11th till 5 out, soon ridden, mistake next, beaten when hit 2 out, 3rd of 4, 35l behind Wichita Lineman (11-7) at Chepstow 3m nov chs (3) hvy in Dec.
The Ring (IRE) 8-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, led 4 out, ridden and headed after last, kept on until no extra towards finish, 2nd of 13, 2 1/2l behind Orki Des Aigles (10-6) at Market Rasen 3m 4f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
The Gangerman (IRE) 5-2fav (10-10) Mid-division, headway after 5 out, one pace from 2 out, 3rd of 12, 23l behind See You There (10-13) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Nov.
Stagecoach Diamond 20-1 (9-12) Chased leaders, weakened 4 out, 5th of 11, 27l behind Malko De Beaumont (10-2) at Haydock 3m hcp chs 0-145 (2) sft in Dec.
Lucky Nellerie (FR) 10-1 (10-8) In touch, led 11th, headed 12th, led again after 13th, headed 4 out, weakened from 2 out, 5th of 12, 33l behind See You There (10-13) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) sft in Nov.
Huka Lodge (IRE) 18-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, outpaced from 7th, 4th of 7, 23l behind Companero (11-12) at Hexham 3m hcp hdl 0-135 (3) hvy in Nov.
Another Rum (IRE) 125-1 (10-0) Always struggling, tailed off when blundered 2 out, 12th of 20, well behind Notre Pere (11-0) at Chepstow 3m 5f hcp chs Grd 3 (1) sft in Dec.
Super Road Train 4-1 (11-2) Chased leaders, reminders approaching 10th, outpaced 3 out, 5th of 7, 20l behind Royal Mackintosh (10-13) at Carlisle 3m 2f hcp chs 0-135 (3) hvy in Dec.
Matcho Pierji (FR) 10-1 (11-3) Held up, in touch, weakened approaching 4 out, tailed off, 5th of 9, 46l behind Tricky Trickster (11-5) at Newbury 3m nov hcp chs (3) sft in Dec.
Darina's Boy 11-1 (10-6) In touch when blundered and unseated rider at the 7th in race won by Bellaney Jewel (10-6) at Aintree 3m 1f hcp chs 0-125 (3) sft in Nov, 13 ran.
Hidden Bounty (IRE) 5-1fav (10-10) Held up, headway approaching 15th, ridden approaching 3 out, one pace, 3rd of 13, 4l behind Bannister Lane (11-12) at Bangor 3m 6f hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec.
The Risky Viking (IRE) 4-1fav (11-1) In touch, not fluent and lost place 8th, mistake 12th, soon struggling in rear, tailed off when pulled up 4 out in race won by Deep Quest (10-11) at Exeter 4m hcp chs 0-120 (3) sft in Dec, 14 ran.
