always behind, pulled up 13th, tailed off
always behind, weakened 10th, pulled up before 4 out
held up, chased winner from 2 out, one pace
held up, weakened 4 out, behind when fell next
chased leaders, every chance 4 out, weakened after 2 out
made all, stayed on well
held up, headway 4 out, one pace
always towards rear, pulled up before 3 out
chased leaders, weakened from 4 out
chased leaders, weakened from 12th, pulled up before 14th
unseated rider 2nd
chased leaders, weakened 10th, pulled up before 14th
Great Grimsby gained a well deserved first success at Sedgefield last month and may struggle to follow up off his new mark so Malcolm Jefferson's gelding looks best watched and preference is for TULLY CROSS, who gets the vote over Toy Gun. The last mentioned got no further than the first fence here when last seen in May where he unseated his rider but Howard Johnson has his string in good form so he has to be considered on his return. High Five was well beaten on his recent reappearance at Cartmel and looks best watched, while Got The Gift showed promise here in June but disappointed at Southwell recently and he now looks best left out of calculations. Alan Swinbank's Alto Stratus would have every chance if he stays the trip but he is far from certain to do so and a safer option looks to be Tully Cross. James Lambe's gelding ran better at Downpatrick last time and is taken to give his handler another British winner.
Great Grimsby (IRE) 5-1 (10-6) Held up, headway 11th, led 3 out, ridden out flat, won at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Sept beating Thunder Hawk (11-5) by 4l, 10 ran.
Jethro Tull (IRE) 8-1 (11-1) Tracked leaders, ridden approaching 3 out, gradually weakened from last, 3rd of 10, 21l behind Orki Des Aigles (10-2) at Kelso 3m 1f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Nov '06.
Alto Stratus 8-1 (11-6) Mid-division, behind from 9th, 7th of 12, 36l behind I'm Your Man (10-11) at Sedgefield 2m 4f nov hcp chs 0-95 (5) gd in Sept.
Got The Gift (IRE) 4-1 (11-1) Mid-division, behind from 9th, 8th of 16, 32l behind Royal China (10-11) at Southwell 2m 5f hcp chs 0-90 (5) gd in Aug.
Tully Cross (IRE) 8-1 (10-3) Towards rear, some progress into moderate 9th 3 out, steady progress from next, kept on well to go moderate 2nd without threatening winner run-in, 2nd of 15, 3l behind Mister Lucky (11-10) at Downpatrick 2m 7f hcp chs 0-95 gd in Sept.
Huckleberry (IRE) 9-1 (10-11) With leaders, led after 12th, clear next, ridden approaching 4 out, headed after last, soon ridden, weakened flat, 2nd of 9, 28l behind Desert Tommy (11-1) at Cartmel 3m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Aug.
Presenting Alf (IRE) 20-1 (10-2) Prominent, ridden after 8th, soon lost place, behind from next, tailed off, 9th of 15, well behind Alfadora (10-10) at Southwell 3m hcp hdl 0-100 (4) gf in Sept.
Panthers Run 20-1 (10-7) Behind, ridden and headway 13th, kept on same pace from 3 out, no impression, 4th of 20, 14l behind Lethem Present (10-2) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs 0-95 (5) gf in Jun.
High Five 10-3 (10-2) In touch, led 6th, headed after 12th, soon outpaced, tailed off 4 out, 4th of 9, well behind Desert Tommy (11-1) at Cartmel 3m 2f hcp chs 0-100 (4) gs in Aug.
Sam Cruise 5-1 (10-0) Took keen hold, mid-division headway 4th, weakening when blundered 4 out and pulled up 3 out in race won by Lord Alfred (11-11) at Uttoxeter 2m 6f nov hcp chs 0-105 (4) gf in Jun, 9 ran.
Toy Gun (IRE) 3-1fav (11-2) Blundered and unseated rider in race won by Lethem Present (9-11) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp chs (5) gf in May, 18 ran.
Mr Twins (ARG) 50-1 (10-4) With leader, ridden 4 out, soon weakened, 7th of 10, 44l behind Great Grimsby (10-6) at Sedgefield 3m 3f hcp chs 0-105 (4) gd in Sept.
