in touch early in 4th, soon in rear, weakened from 7th, pulled up before 6 out
with leader, led 4 out, headed before 3 out, weakened before 2 out, pulled up before last
tracked leaders in 3rd, with leader 3 out, quickly weakened and pulled up before last
in rear, headway before 3 out, went 3rd from 2 out, chased leader before last, led run-in, kept on
led, reminders and headed 4 out, weakened before 3 out, pulled up before 2 out
held up mid-division, reminders before 5th, weakened before 8th, pulled up before 6 out
held up towards rear, weakened before 5 out, tailed off and pulled up before 2 out
towards rear, headway 5 out, led before 3 out, ridden and clear before last, headed run-in, no extra
This could be ripe for an upset as none of these exactly leap off the page, though Samson Collonges and WILLIE HALL are previous course winners. The latter has been pulled up in his only recent start over fences but was second over hurdles at Kelso last month and makes more appeal than May's Sedgefield runner-up Dundee Blue, who would need the headgear to work a second time and is upped in trip. Mia Matriarch should be a decent price and will have needed her run here last month but Moscow Menace has top weight and a long absence to overcome. Verko was second over hurdles here in May but has turned in three shockers since.
Moscow Menace (IRE) 11-4 (12-2) Chased leaders, not fluent 8th, mistake 15th, went 2nd next, every chance after 4 out, not fluent next, well held by winner from 2 out, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 7, 18l behind Well Mett (11-12) at Perth 3m 2f (5) sft in Apr.
Dundee Blue (IRE) 9-1 (10-8) Tracked leaders, ridden to chase winner run-in, just held close home, 2nd of 5, nk behind Our Boy Ben (11-4) at Sedgefield 2m hcp (5) sft in May.
Willie Hall 9-2 (10-12) Towards rear, tracked leaders 3 out (usual 4 out), led bypassing omitted 2 out, headed last, soon ridden, no chance with winner flat, 2nd of 8, 7l behind Andhaar (11-12) at Kelso 2m 7f hcp (5) gd in Oct.
Verko (FR) 5-1 (10-6) Held up towards rear, headway 4 out, chased leaders after next, outpaced between last, weakened before last, tailed off, 5th of 9, dist behind Bescot Springs (11-7) at Hexham 2m 7f hcp (5) gd in Sep.
Samson Collonges (FR) 40-1 (10-6) Chased leaders, went 3rd before 3 out, one pace, 4th of 18, 10 1/2l behind Resolute Reformer (11-11) at Hexham 3m 1f hcp (5) gd in Apr.
Azerodegree (IRE) 14-1 (10-6) In touch, ridden before 3 out, weakened before last, 4th of 9, 10 1/2l behind Roc De Prince (11-12) at Hexham 2m hcp (5) gs in Oct.
Mia Matriarch 80-1 (10-0) Always towards rear, 6th of 11, 35 1/2l behind Friendly Royal (11-7) at Hexham 2m 4f hcp (4) gs in Oct.
Trouble In Paris (IRE) 50-1 (10-0) Mid-division, headway under pressure 5 out, chased leaders after next, never on terms, 5th of 11, 34 1/2l behind Resolute Reformer (10-10) at Carlisle 2m 5f hcp (4) gs in Apr.
